Any campaign still hoping to collect enough signatures for the November ballot has had to get creative during this pandemic. Many groups have filed lawsuits asking for either extensions, reduced signature requirements or allowing electronic signatures. Two Oregon drug-related campaigns are hoping that teaming up will help them collect the 112,020 valid signatures needed by the July 2 deadline. Last week, each party has sent out emails asking their supporters to print, sign and turn in their signatures for the other measure.
The Oregon Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act has two main components: decriminalizing certain possession charges and designating use of the state’s marijuana tax revenue to create a drug addiction and recovery program. The campaign announced back in March that they’ve already collected enough signatures to qualify, but are hoping to collect more for safe measure. The ballot measure committee, IP 44, has big money behind it and has received $1.1 million in contributions.
Liz Kaufman is the political consultant for IP 44. Kaufman was named one of the top 10 state influencers by Campaigns and Elections in 2013 and top influencer by state by Ballotpedia in 2015.
The second initiative, Psilocybin Services Act, is also slowly gaining heat. The measure would create a program for psilocybin- commonly known as mushrooms- to be used for therapy. The PSI 2020 committee has received $563,621 in contributions. According to their website, they’ve collected 133,029 signatures, which has them just shy of their 145,000 goal.
While no formal opposing committee has been formed, it’s likely whoever is against either will now have to fight against both, which will require a drastic amount of additional resources and time.
