Signed by Governor Kate Brown

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that reduces criminal charges for possessing a small amount of controlled substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

Highlights:

• Reduces criminal charges  for possessing a small amount of controlled substances including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine from a felony to a misdemeanor (Secs. 12 - 14).

• Specifies a maximum prison term of 364 days for drug-related misdemeanors committed by individuals under the age of 25 (Sec. 23).

• Authorizes individuals convicted of drug-related misdemeanors to earn reduced probations (Sec. 19).

• Specifies that the reduction in criminal charges does not apply in the following circumstances (Sec. 9):

• If the possession is of a “usable quantity” and is a commercial drug offense;

• If an individual has a prior felony conviction or at least 2 prior possession convictions; or

• If an individual possesses more than the specified quantity of drugs.

• Defines a “usable quantity” of a controlled substance as an amount that can be physically weighed on a measuring scale (Sec. 16)

• Specifies that justice and municipal courts do not have jurisdiction over certain drug-related misdemeanors (Sec. 20).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to begin recording officer-involved pedestrian and traffic stops (Sec. 2).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to submit an annual report summarizing every complaint that alleges profiling (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that reduces criminal charges for possessing a small amount of controlled substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

Highlights:

• Reduces criminal charges  for possessing a small amount of controlled substances including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine from a felony to a misdemeanor (Secs. 12 - 14).

• Specifies a maximum prison term of 364 days for drug-related misdemeanors committed by individuals under the age of 25 (Sec. 23).

• Authorizes individuals convicted of drug-related misdemeanors to earn reduced probations (Sec. 19).

• Specifies that the reduction in criminal charges does not apply in the following circumstances (Sec. 9):

• If the possession is of a “usable quantity” and is a commercial drug offense;

• If an individual has a prior felony conviction or at least 2 prior possession convictions; or

• If an individual possesses more than the specified quantity of drugs.

• Defines a “usable quantity” of a controlled substance as an amount that can be physically weighed on a measuring scale (Sec. 16)

• Specifies that justice and municipal courts do not have jurisdiction over certain drug-related misdemeanors (Sec. 20).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to begin recording officer-involved pedestrian and traffic stops (Sec. 2).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to submit an annual report summarizing every complaint that alleges profiling (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text