History of Legalizing Cannabis in Oregon. In 1973, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize cannabis. The Oregon Decriminalization Bill of 1973 abolished criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. The actual use of marijuana in private, and being under the influence of marijuana, became non-punishable offenses under Oregon law. However, public use and also driving under the influence of intoxicants were still punishable offenses. In 1998, Oregon State legalized Medical Marijuana through a ballot. As a patient who has struggled with Crohn’s disease from a very young age, I have utilized marijuana for medical purposes for many years. I was one of the very first Medical Marijuana Patient Card Holder…