What Really Happened to Oregon's Measure 110?

Not only was Oregon the?first state?to trail blaze the legalization of psilocybin (and marijuana), but in November 2020, they approved?Measure 110, the "Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act" which made way for funding drug treatment programs and the “gradual process of putting cannabis tax dollars toward drug treatment organizations.” It seemingly set quite the precedent for the rest of the country, showcasing how to effectively financially restructure and ideologically reframe antiquated beliefs about drugs, addiction and legalization.

The senate has now passed a bill to end Measure 110, re-criminalizing hard drugs and halting the effort of addiction recovery programs and services across the state.?Drug Policy Alliance?says it’s due to, “an intense disinformation campaign by drug war defenders and by Oregon leaders who scapegoated Measure 110 for every issue in the state.”?

Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of?Drug Policy Solutions, says "There's widespread dissatisfaction with the way that (Measure 110) dollars have been rolled out, the amount of treatment that's available, and really with the lack of accountability…this is part of a very well thought out multi-decade plan by those who want to legalize drugs and?the billionaires who are behind it.” Back in 2023, a poll run by Drug Policy Solutions showed the following:?

? 64% supported the return of criminal consequences?for possession of small amounts of hard drugs.

? 54% said they thought Measure 110 increased homelessness in their communities.

? 33% said they thought Measure 110 makes the community much less safe.

So what really happened to cause this stark shift in voter’s mindsets???What personal gains are involved in the results of this polling? It’s important to realize that the psychedelic community has our own goals around legislation, though a good deal of us are in alignment with bringing about more addiction and reform services. State and federal decriminalization means more academic and research funding made possible. It means bringing psychedelic healing services to those in need without healers, facilitators and educators risking incarceration themselves. Measure 110 meant big strides towards this goal. But we’re not the only people lobbying here my friends. We know all too well that psychedelics has become a corporate and profiteering gold rush. People who have no experience, no background, and no real investment in psychedelic healing are racing to cash in on the hard labor of the psychedelic community and commodify, saran wrap and sell “magic mushrooms” to the masses…without the healing, without the introspection work, without the integration and frankly, without morality.??And then we have the politicians, wielding legalization and promises of change for votes and power. So was Measure 110 scapegoated? it certainly appears so.?Conrad Wilson and Tony Schick of?OPB?say,?“Oregon’s political leaders themselves played central roles in failing to deliver on the potential for law enforcement to connect people with lifesaving services under the new measure, documents and interviews with a wide array of people involved in the system indicate.” This is unfortunately just another example of bureaucracy failing to deliver on promises made.

If Oregon’s law enforcement wasn’t ready (*cough*?prepared) for Measure 110, it might seem as if the state was lacking the infrastructure to bring about long lasting change and reform, but it simply isn’t true. Since Measure 110 passed, addiction services were expanded by $300 million, health needs screenings increased by 298%, comprehensive behavioral health needs assessments increased 114%, substance use disorder treatment increased 143%, peer support services increased 205%, harm reduction increased 148%, housing services increased 296%.?These are facts. The 2023 Drug Policy Solution’s poll (above) gathered opinions, and it bears repeating that opinions aren’t facts.

By all these vast improvements, most people would consider Measure 110 a success. But even I know (as much as I?wish?it could be)?drug and psychedelic legalization is not the answer to?all?of our problems in America.?We can’t simply legalize drugs and psychedelics and hope to see fast acting polar shifts in our communities. And like we’ve seen before time and time again, legislatures, politicians and lobbyists will blame drug use as if it is the root cause and not simply stemming from a much larger, more complex societal dilemma.

1) Homelessness is not just an economic crisis, but a mental health crisis.? At the very least, this would require a two-pronged approach. Not sticking our fellow humans -?suffering?with homelessness and addiction - in jail is really just the start. 2) Those selling drugs because of economic disparity is not the fault of the drug, but due to the lack of resources and wealth hoarding we see in corporations being continuously given tax breaks and bailouts by the American government. Handing out $100 tickets for possession ain’t helping the cause either. 3) Crime, drug use, homelessness, this all leads back to a lack of government funded healthcare, which includes mental health care. Yes, in some instances drugs can cause all of the above, but more often, drugs are used as a coping tool, a vice to dilute and numb the pain and trauma one harbors.

It seems obvious that Measure 110 was one step in the process, not the final solution. Regardless of this setback, Oregon’s original decriminalization is undeniably still pivotal in the pace at which we are seeing other states follow suit.?Massachusetts, you’re up next.?I wait eagerly to see the outcome.

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