Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Backs Drug Decriminalization In Oregon With $500K

Facebook Inc. FB chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan backed a campaign poised to decriminalize all drugs in Oregon.

According to the Marijuana Moment, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Advocacy donated $500,000, which accounts for a third of the financing secured to support Measure 110.

To date, the campaign — recognized by a number of other organizations — received over 400 individual donations, including $850,000 from Drug Policy Alliance’s political arm Drug Policy Action.

Zuckerberg and Chan are the initiative’s second-biggest backers, the report continued.

The initiative would also utilize a part of existing legal marijuana tax revenue to fund expanded substance misuse treatment services.

“People with addiction need help, not punishment, and we are excited, so many people are stepping forward to help win a more humane, equitable, and effective approach to drug addiction in Oregon,” Peter Zuckerman, campaign manager of Yes on Measure 110, told Marijuana Moment. “Now’s our moment to stop ruining lives and start saving them."

This isn't the first social justice initiative for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Last year, it helped expand The Last Mile, an organization that prepares incarcerated individuals for successful reentry through business and technology training, into Oklahoma (courtesy image above). 

CZI also donated $25 million to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation earlier this year as part of an effort to develop treatments for coronavirus.