Oregon has officially recriminalized the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, marking a significant reversal of its pioneering Measure 110, which decriminalized drug possession in 2020. Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 4002 into law on April 1, 2024, with the new regulations set to take effect on September 1, 2024. This legislative shift comes after widespread concerns regarding a surge in public drug use and escalating overdose deaths across the state.
The decision to roll back Measure 110 aligns with the sentiments expressed by critics of the original policy. A social media post by "T Wolf 🌁" on July 31, 2025, asserted, "> Decriminalization of drugs was an unmitigated disaster by every metric." This view has been echoed by prominent drug policy experts.
Dr. Keith Humphreys, a Stanford University psychiatry professor and former White House drug policy adviser, has been a vocal critic of Measure 110. He previously stated that the initiative, despite being presented as pro-treatment, had been "a complete failure in that regard," particularly noting a lack of pressure for individuals to seek treatment. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and a former White House drug policy advisor, also consistently highlighted the negative outcomes in Oregon, arguing that the state's residents were "waking up to the impact these drugs are having on their communities."
Measure 110, passed by voters, reclassified possession of small quantities of drugs from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction, punishable by a $100 fine or a health assessment. It also redirected millions in marijuana tax revenue to fund drug treatment and harm reduction services. However, the implementation faced challenges, with many arguing that the promised expansion of treatment services was slow and insufficient to meet the growing need.
The newly enacted House Bill 4002 reclassifies possession of small amounts of drugs as a misdemeanor, carrying potential penalties of up to six months in jail or a fine of up to $1,000. It also introduces new provisions for public drug use and allocates an additional $211 million to bolster drug treatment and recovery services. This legislative action reflects a renewed emphasis on law enforcement intervention alongside public health initiatives to address Oregon's ongoing drug crisis.