All states prohibit the trafficking, sale and possession of cocaine, as well as the production of crack cocaine and other derivatives. Federal law also prohibits such crimes involving cocaine and other illegal drugs, although the trend is toward treatment and mitigation programs instead of harsh prison sentences for addicts. The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) typically handles cases of interstate trafficking and organized crime, while states deal with more isolated violations. The Oregon example shows that even if politicians remain cautious and cautious on this issue, the public can act on their own terms. Less than half of states do not have an open voting process. But electoral initiatives can ultimately inspire action across national borders; Political leaders in New York, which has no open process, and surrounding areas began talking about legalization after Massachusetts and Maine were legalized, and they have already become stronger after New Jersey voted to legalize it this year. Oregon is decriminalizing possession of hard drugs while four other states are legalizing recreational marijuana t.co/fRetdOIz9c are considering legalizing marijuana. Some polls show that even a majority of Republicans, who are generally skeptical of major reforms, support legalization. So you have the situation in Montana and South Dakota this year, where voters in the state simultaneously elected Trump president and chose to legalize marijuana — while Trump and Biden opposed legalization at the federal level. On November 3, Oregon voters voted to decriminalize all drugs, including heroin and cocaine, so that possession of small amounts of these substances no longer carries a risk of imprisonment or imprisonment.

State voters also approved another vote to legalize psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, in supervised therapeutic settings. Oregon voters had previously legalized recreational and medical marijuana, but it is the first state in modern American history to legalize psilocybin and decriminalize drug possession. But there`s another concern: election action really shouldn`t be the primary way to make politics a problem, especially one as complicated as drugs. Let`s assume there are better ways to legalize marijuana than the current business model that states assume, as some experts and activists have argued. Perhaps it is better to hold the state government responsible for the distribution and sale of marijuana, as some states do with alcohol. A national campaign to relax drug laws took an important step Tuesday when Oregon voters passed a controversial measure that decriminalized possession of small amounts of so-called hard drugs, including cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and methamphetamines. „Instead of arresting individuals for possession of small amounts of drugs, Measure 110 will significantly expand access to addiction treatment and recovery services for all who want and need them, paid for by existing marijuana taxpayer dollars,“ according to the Yes on Measure 110 campaign website. While the law does not legalize drugs, it does eliminate criminal penalties for possession of all low-level drugs – currently classified as offences – and replace them with the ability to pay a $100 fine or visit new „drug recreation centres.“ What we know here in the United States when the war on drugs began in the 70s under the Nixon administration, right after the civil rights movement of the 60s. Nixon portrayed civil liberties as contributing to an increase in crime and targeted drugs to crack down. According to the Washington Post, Oregon has also joined the District of Columbia in decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms, while Mississippi has legalized medical cannabis and New Jersey, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota have voted to legalize recreational marijuana (legal in Oregon since 2015). Nearly a third of states have now relaxed criminal penalties for marijuana use, though it is still prohibited by federal law. While Bill 110 has faced its fair share of criticism, it also puts Oregon at the forefront of changing American attitudes about what communities should do about substance abuse.

On the one hand, the federal government still bans all drugs. This includes marijuana, including for medical purposes. The fact that the Obama administration decided to take a hands-off approach to legalizing states, and that President Donald Trump`s administration followed a similar model, is a matter of executive discretion and does not reflect any changes in federal law. That means a future government or less cooperative federal law enforcement officials could still crack down on drugs in Oregon and elsewhere. In 1973, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis,[12] and in 1998, the state legalized its use for medical purposes. [13] An attempt to recriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis was rejected by Oregon voters in 1997. [12] In June 2010, Oregon became the first state in the country to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug when the Oregon Board of Pharmacy voted to reclassify. [14] [15] [16] Recreational cannabis has been legal in the state since July 2015.