Many states easing drug restrictions

Big blows to the war on drugs.

Oregon is leading the way with landmark decisions from voters.

Is coming up./// on election day, oregon rejected charging drug users with criminal offenses passing a ballot measure that decriminalizes possession of a wide range of drugs.

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Also on election day?

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"* states including nearby south dakota legalized recreational marijuana.

Kimt news 3's nick kruszalnicki has a look at the impact of these landmark changes.

Nick?

We've all heard the saying ?

"* so goes california, so goes the country.

Well now it's oregon that is breaking new ground ?

"* removing the penalties associated with certain hard drugs.

"oregonians made their voices heard loud and clear at the ballot box that it's time for a better approach to drug addiction.

They know people deserve treatment, access to care, not criminal punishments."

Possession of drugs including heroin and cocaine will be considered small infractions in oregon ?

*- with a modest fine or drug treatment as a sentence.

Psilocybin (sill?

"* oh?

"*sy?* mushrooms are also approved to be used in a certain type of therapy.

"and it just changes things so that instead of being arrested, shamed and stigmatized, you are connected with care and services so that if you want help, it's there for you."

Cerro gordo county sheriff kevin pals is not on board with the move.

"iowa spends 1.8 billion dollars for alcohol abuse.

According to the cdc, which is about a $1.64 a drink the last time the cdc released that.

Which is a fair amount of money.

We can't even solve the alcohol problem, which is legal."

This law and order sheriff says the impact of states easing drug laws has had an impact right here in iowa.

"the number one marijuana state in our area, colorado, once they legalized it, produce it and sell it legally, south dakota is legalizing both medicinal and recreational marijuana at the same time and those changes won't take effect until july of next year.

Live in mason city, nick kruszalnicki, kimt news 3.

Thank you nick.

Minnesota and iowa do have medical marijuana laws, but recreational pot is still not