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February 2, 2021

Oregon Becomes First U.S. State to Decriminalize Low-Level Possession of All Drugs
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In Oregon, a voter-approved ballot measure went into effect Monday,
making it the first state to decriminalize low-level possession of all
drugs. Oregon will use the savings from reduced prison time to fund
crime prevention and addiction treatment programs.

Drug Policy Alliance director Kassandra Frederique wrote, "Today, the
first domino of our cruel and inhumane war on drugs has fallen - setting
off what we expect to be a cascade of other efforts centering health
over criminalization."


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