Official Ballot Decisions Bring Major Changes to Drug Policies, More

Yesterday’s election saw some major changes as U.S. ballot decisions were made. in a 59% – 41% vote, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize small amounts of hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine and meth. The Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act will now alter the state’s drug policy, focusing less on punishing offenders for drug use or abuse and will instead put resources towards rehab for them. Arizona, New Jersey, and South Dakota also voted in favor of legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana. The issue was presented before Mississippi and Montana as well, but they have yet to announce a decision. Mississippi voters did, however, vote overwhelmingly in favor of changing their state flag. The original was the last left in the U.S. that still featured confederate-inspired themes and images. The new flag design now has a magnolia flower on it and the phrase “In God We Trust.” 20 stars surround the flower, representing Mississippi as the 20th state to be ratified.