Cocaine in the United States: Difference between revisions

 

==2020s==

In 2020, the state of [[Oregon]] became the first U.S. state to decriminalize cocaine.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/oregon-first-state-decriminalize-hard-drugs-heroin-cocaine | title=Oregon becomes first state to decriminalize hard drugs like heroin and cocaine | website=[[Fox News]] | date=3 November 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oregon-first-state-decriminalize-cocaine-heroin-measure-109/ | title=Oregon becomes the first state to decriminalize hard drugs like cocaine and heroin | website=[[CBS News]] | date=4 November 2020 }}</ref> This new law prevents people with small amounts of cocaine from facing jail time. In 2020, the U.S. state of Oregon would also become the first state to decriminalize the use of heroin.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/11/04/election-drugs-oregon-new-jersey/ |title=Oregon decriminalizes possession of hard drugs, as four other states legalize recreational marijuana |date=2020-11-04 |author1=Cleve R. Wootson Jr. |author2=Jaclyn Peiser |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}</ref> This measure will allow people with small amounts to avoid arrest.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/03/oregon-drugs-decriminalize-arizona-new-jersey-marijuana | title=Oregon becomes first US state to decriminalize possession of hard drugs | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=4 November 2020 }}</ref> The measure was adopted by referendum 3 November 2020, and introduced a Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act,<ref>[https://ballotpedia.org/Oregon_Measure_110,_Drug_Decriminalization_and_Addiction_Treatment_Initiative_(2020) Oregon Measure 110, Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative (2020)], Ballotpedia</ref> effective 3 December 2020.<ref>[https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_the_initiative_process_in_Oregon Laws governing the initiative process in Oregon], Ballotpedia, cf. Oregon Constitution, Article IV, Section 1 (4d)</ref> The Act<ref>[https://sos.oregon.gov/admin/Documents/irr/2020/044text.pdf Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act]</ref> introduced changes to Oregon law (ORS), effective 1 February 2021,<ref>Section 25 of the Act</ref> including reclassification of most possession offences.<ref>Section 11 to 19 of the Act, including an option that a completed health assessment is used in lieu of a fine for certain violations (Section 19, changing ORS 153.018 (2) e</ref> It also introduced measures for better treatment and recovery for drug addiction.<ref>[https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/AMH/Pages/Measure110.aspx#d3cbf854-9fd4-49e6-b223-0ce9d79619dc Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act], Oregon Health Authority</ref>In April 2024, Oregon would pass a reformation to [[2020 Oregon Ballot Measure 110|Measure 110]] to recriminalize drug possession (including cocaine) as a misdemeanor due to the failure of implementing said Measure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-01 |title=Oregon governor signs a bill recriminalizing drug possession |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/oregon-governor-signs-a-bill-recriminalizing-drug-possession |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref>