NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF BALLOT TITLE

Notice is hereby given that a ballot title for an initiative petition has been filed with the Elections Office of the City of Portland on November 21, 2019.

The ballot title is as follows:

CAPTION

Amends Charter: prohibits city regulation, enforcement of psychedelic plant laws.

QUESTION

Shall Charter be amended to prohibit city enforcement of laws imposing criminal penalties for psychedelic plant medicines, prohibit city regulations?

SUMMARY

Currently, federal and state law prohibit the possession, storage and propagation of psychedelic plant medicines; city code prohibits use or distribution of controlled substances on certain city property. Violations of the law are subject to exclusion orders and misdemeanor and felony criminal penalties.

The measure adds a new Charter chapter that prohibits the city of Portland from enforcing – or using city resources to assist in enforcing – laws that impose criminal penalties for the use, possession, growing, production or distribution of psychedelic plant medicines for personal use by adults. The measure also prohibits the city from adopting laws prohibiting or regulating the use, possession, production or distribution of psychedelic plant medicines for personal use. Psychedelic plant medicines include naturally occurring plant and fungal matters in “psilocybin mushrooms”, “iboga”, “bufotenine”, “DMT-containing plants” and “mescaline cacti” (defined terms).

The measure does not prohibit the city from enforcing or passing laws that prohibit or regulate the commercial sale of psychedelic plant medicines, when the quantity being sold is worth more than $500 per week.

Other provisions.

The City Auditor has determined this measure meets the requirements of Article IV, Section 1(2) (d) and (5) of the Oregon Constitution. An elector may file a petition for review of this ballot title in the Multnomah County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

MARY HULL CABALLERO

Portland City Auditor