2020 Oregon Ballot Measure 110

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Oregon Ballot Measure 110 (2020): A Short, People‑Friendly Summary

In November 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 110. It changed how possession of certain hard drugs is handled by law. Possessing drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, PCP, LSD, and oxycodone is now a Class E civil violation instead of a criminal offense. The move was meant to reduce racial disparities in policing and was expected to drastically cut Black arrest rates.

Funding and purpose
- The measure uses cannabis tax revenue to expand addiction treatment and recovery services statewide.
- It aimed to connect people who use drugs with treatment rather than jail.

When it took effect
- The new rules began on February 1, 2021.

Support
- The Drug Policy Alliance backed the measure, with financial support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

What happened in 2024
- In 2024, House Bill 4002 repealed the drug decriminalization part of Measure 110 in response to public concerns. The law kept the expanded access to addiction treatment funded by cannabis taxes.

New penalties after 2024
- Starting September 1, 2024, possession of hard drugs was moved to a criminal misdemeanor outside the Class E system, with up to 6 months in jail. A jail sentence could be waived if the person enters mandatory drug treatment.

Election results
- Yes: 58.46% (1,333,268)
- No: 41.54% (947,314)
- Total votes: 2,280,581