decriminalization

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Oregon Moves Away From Decriminalizing Drugs
Oregon Recriminalizes
Drug Possession
updated
Apr 1, 2024 6:35 PM CDT

Oregon Recriminalizes Drug Possession

Governor signs legislation backtracking on state's experiment

(Newser) - Gov. Tina Kotek has signed into law a bill to recriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs, ending Oregon's first-in-the-nation experiment with decriminalization that was hobbled by implementation issues. In a signing letter, the Democratic governor said the law's success will depend on "deep coordination" among courts,...

Oregon Considers Reversing Course on Hard Drugs

Just 2 years after Measure 110 passed, officials are taking a hard look at whether it's working

(Newser) - Oregon became the first state to decriminalize all drugs , but with overdoses and public intoxication on the rise, officials are taking a hard look at whether the new law is working. The Wall Street Journal reports that Measure 110, which had 58% support in 2020, is declining in popularity after...

Canada Takes Bold Step to 'Remove the Shame' on Drugs

Small amounts of 'hard' drugs to be temporarily decriminalized in British Columbia to fight ODs

(Newser) - If you're busted in British Columbia with a small amount of hard drugs, you could soon see some grace, thanks to an innovative new program designed to deal with the OD crisis. The BBC reports that, starting at the end of January, drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and...

Drug Decriminalization Takes Effect in Oregon

Voters approved changes in November

(Newser) - Police in Oregon can no longer arrest someone for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, oxycodone, and other drugs as a ballot measure that decriminalized them took effect on Monday. Instead, those found in possession would face a $100 fine or a health assessment that could lead to...

Oregon Is First in Nation for Big Decriminalization Step

Decriminalizes possession of street drugs including heroin, in small amounts

(Newser) - Oregon made a major reversal in the nationwide "war on drugs" Tuesday, voting to decriminalize possession of small amounts of street drugs including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, LSD, psilocybin, methadone, and oxycodone. It's the first state in the nation to do so, Oregon Live reports. "Today is...

In New York, an Effort to Decriminalize Sex Work

'Sex work is work and should not be criminalized'

(Newser) - Some Democratic lawmakers hope to see New York become the first state to decriminalize sex work. "Anything that involved children or coercion are things that we feel very strongly need to remain in the penal code," but "sex work is work and should not be criminalized by...

US City May Be First to Decriminalize 'Magic Mushrooms'

Denver will vote Tuesday

(Newser) - Tuesday's a big day in Denver—a day that could end with the decriminalization of a Schedule 1 drug. The AP reports residents are headed to the polls to cast their vote on whether to decriminalize psilocybin, an illegal drug found in "magic mushrooms" that has been shown...

'One of World's Oldest Bans' on Gay Sex Is No More

Colonial-era law banning homosexuality has been overturned by India's Supreme Court

(Newser) - Calling sexual orientation "one of the many natural phenomena," the chief justice of India's Supreme Court made a big announcement Thursday about one of the nation's colonial-era laws. The Guardian reports India's highest court has struck down a 160-year-old law banning consensual gay sex, with...

Russia Decriminalizing Domestic Violence

As long as it happens just once a year, doesn't cause serious injury

(Newser) - Domestic violence is inarguably bad—but for nearly 400 members of Russia's parliament, it's not that bad if it only happens once a year and doesn't cause "substantial bodily harm." That's the 380-3 opinion that led to a bill being passed Friday in the...

Russia Looks to Decriminalize Domestic Violence

Bill will go before the Duma this week eliminating criminal liability

(Newser) - In Russia, giving one's spouse a slap is nothing extraordinary for many people. This week, the Russian parliament is expected to take a step closer toward decriminalizing it altogether, reports the AP . Battery is a criminal offense in Russia, but a study this month showed that 19% of Russians...

Pot Arrests in US Outnumber Violent Crime Arrests

There's a drug arrest every 25 seconds

(Newser) - Law enforcement agencies made more arrests for marijuana possession last year than for all violent crimes combined, despite decriminalization and outright legalization in some states, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch and the ACLU. The report is harshly critical of drug policies that have 137,000 Americans...

Amnesty International: Decriminalize the Sex Trade

Group hopes recommendation will improve conditions for sex workers

(Newser) - In a move to stick up for what the head of Amnesty International describes as "one of the most marginalized groups in the world who ... face constant risk of discrimination, violence, and abuse," the organization voted today to recommend decriminalizing that group's line of work: prostitution and...

UK Cops to Public: Solve Your Own Crimes

Citizens often told to conduct own investigations for common offenses: report

(Newser) - It's not that British police don't want to help you solve crimes that have victimized you—it's just that they want you to help you solve those crimes. A report released by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary on crime figures and the "use of police...

Experts: Decriminalize Drugs—All of Them

Canadian group argues that current policies are ineffective

(Newser) - A coalition of Canadian drug policy experts is calling on the country to decriminalize the use of drugs—not just, say, marijuana or other "soft drugs," but all drugs. Thanks to a "stunning display of unimaginative thinking," Canada has been cracking down on drug users, which...

Chicago Cops Won't Arrest You Over a Little Weed

But you'll get still get a ticket under new marijuana policy

(Newser) - Expect to smell some celebratory puffs in Chicago. The city council voted today to approve a policy allowing police to ticket, rather than arrest, anyone found with 15 grams of marijuana or less, NBC Chicago reports. The policy, which is backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel among others, passed by a...

Next to Decriminalize Marijuana: Chicago?

No more jail time for small amounts, if city councilmen have their way

(Newser) - As public support for marijuana legalization grows, Chicago may take things one step closer: The city is looking to decriminalize the stuff, meaning users carrying small amounts would pay tickets instead of winding up in jail, the Chicago Tribune notes. Those carrying less than 10 grams would be slapped with...

Connecticut Decriminalizes Marijuana
 Connecticut 
 Decriminalizes 
 Marijuana 
in case you missed it
Jun 11, 2011 7:00 PM CDT

Connecticut Decriminalizes Marijuana

Possession of half-ounce or less now ticketing offense

(Newser) - Possessing a half-ounce or less of pot will soon no longer be a crime in Connecticut. After a spirited discussion, the state's House of Representatives has voted to make Connecticut the 14th state in the nation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, reports the Hartford Courant . Democratic...

Why We Must Arrest Child Prostitutes

It may sound cruel, but it could be the only thing that saves them

(Newser) - With the average age of a girl entering prostitution at 13—and getting lower—the idea of decriminalizing childhood prostitution certainly sounds compassionate. After all, isn't arresting a young girl, who's presumably been victimized by a pimp, like punishing her a second time? Precisely the opposite, write Janice Shaw Crouse...

Why Proposition 19 Failed
 Why Proposition 19 Failed 
OPINION roundup
Nov 3, 2010 10:59 AM CDT

Why Proposition 19 Failed

Little funding, lack of young voter turnout, and other factors

(Newser) - Proposition 19 , California’s marijuana legalization measure, went up in smoke yesterday—but why? A few opinions:
  • Pot is already legal: The campaign for Prop 19 was “centered on the injustice and waste of law enforcement resources involved in treating cannabis smokers like criminals,” a point that
...

Why We Need to Legalize Pot
 Why We Need to Legalize Pot 
george soros
Oct 26, 2010 12:35 PM CDT

Why We Need to Legalize Pot

Our war on marijuana does more harm than good

(Newser) - What will happen if we legalize marijuana? Simple: Police will be able to “focus on serious crime instead,” writes George Soros in the Wall Street Journal . The liberal billionaire and philanthropist outlines his reasons for supporting California’s Prop 19 , with the bottom line being that “our...

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