Chief Sponsors: Senator Bonham, Robinson
SB 670: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB670
Summary:
Relating to possession of controlled substances; prescribing an effective date.
Catchline/Summary: Digest: The Act restores the offense level of the crime of drug possession to what it was before Ballot Measure 110. The Act takes effect on the 91st day after sine die. (Flesch Readability Score: 68.2). Restores, for possession of a controlled substance crimes, the offense level each crime had prior to the enactment of the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act of 2020 (Ballot Measure 110 (2020)). Punishes by a maximum of 364 days’ imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both, or 30 days’ imprisonment, $1,250 fine, or both, depending upon the scheduling of the controlled substance. Punishes by five years’ imprisonment, $125,000 fine, or both, or ten years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both, in specified circumstances.
Committee Members:
Co-Chair Senator Floyd Prozanski (D) [email protected]
Co-Chair Representative Jason Kropf (D) [email protected]
Co-Vice Chair Representative Kevin Mannix (R) [email protected]
Member Senator Fred Girod (R) [email protected]
Member Senator Kate Lieber (D) [email protected]
Member Representative Darcey Edwards (R) [email protected]
Member Representative Shannon Isadore (D) [email protected]
Member Representative Andrea Valderrama (D) [email protected]
Action item: Sample letter below to send to the committee members urging them to support SB 670.
Send emails to the committee members:
Letter 1: Public Safety Focus
Subject: Support SB 670 – Restore Accountability, Common sense and Public Safety
Dear Committee Member’s,
I am writing to urge your support for SB 670, a crucial piece of legislation that seeks to restore accountability in our approach to drug possession laws. The passage of Ballot Measure 110 in 2020 decriminalized drug possession, leading to devastating consequences for public safety and community well-being. By reinstating pre-Measure 110 offense levels, SB 670 takes a necessary step toward reversing these harms and restoring order to our streets.
Since the implementation of Measure 110, we have witnessed a sharp rise in open drug use, homelessness, and drug-related deaths. The lack of accountability for possession of hard drugs has exacerbated addiction crises and stripped law enforcement of the necessary tools to intervene effectively. SB 670 reintroduces meaningful consequences, offering law enforcement and the judicial system the ability to direct individuals toward treatment while deterring drug use through appropriate penalties.
This bill ensures that those in possession of controlled substances face reasonable consequences, including fines or imprisonment depending on the drug schedule and prior circumstances. It is a balanced approach that prioritizes public safety while maintaining pathways to treatment and rehabilitation.
Oregon must take decisive action to address the failures of Measure 110. Please vote in favor of SB 670 to restore accountability and protect our communities.
Sincerely,
Letter 2: Compassionate Reform Approach
Subject: Support SB 670 – A Step Toward Responsible Common Sense Drug Policy
Dear Committee Member’s,
I am writing to express my strong support for SB 670, which seeks to reinstate the offense levels for drug possession that existed before the passage of Ballot Measure 110. This bill is a necessary correction to an experiment that, while well-intentioned, has had disastrous consequences for individuals struggling with addiction and for our communities at large.
Measure 110 removed critical accountability mechanisms that encouraged individuals suffering from substance abuse to seek treatment. Without any meaningful consequences for drug possession, many people are left trapped in cycles of addiction with no incentive to enter rehabilitation programs. SB 670 restores appropriate legal consequences, ensuring that those found in possession of dangerous substances receive structured intervention that may lead them to recovery.
This bill does not merely return to punitive measures; rather, it reestablishes a balance between accountability and compassion. With the proposed tiered penalties based on substance scheduling and specific circumstances, SB 670 maintains proportionality in sentencing while providing opportunities for treatment and rehabilitation.
I urge you to support SB 670 to help create a safer and more effective approach to combating drug addiction in Oregon. This is an opportunity to correct past mistakes and implement a policy that truly serves both those struggling with substance abuse and the broader community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,