Oregon, Citing Failed Experiment, Will Bring Back Criminal Penalties for Illicit Drugs Starting Next Week

It isn’t yet clear whether ‘it will dig us out of the proverbial hole that we’ve put ourselves in,’ said one state lawmaker.

Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Mayor Ted Wheeler of Portland calls Oregon's decision to decriminalize drugs 'a bold experiment, and it failed.' Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Nearly four years after Oregon’s first-of-its-kind drug decriminalization effort was passed by voters, Oregon is bringing back criminal penalties for possessing illicit substances including fentanyl, meth, heroin, and cocaine, starting Sunday. 

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