Oregon reversed course on its high-profile three-year-long experiment to decriminalize drugs, as Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill Monday adding new criminal penalties for drug possession amid increases in public drug use and opioid-related deaths.
KEY FACTS
Under the new law, beginning on Sept. 1, drug possession will be a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to six months in jail, undoing the decriminalization efforts of Measure 110, a ballot initiative that made most drug possession offenses punishable by fines, with the state aiming to focus more on addiction treatment and services. Read more.