Yesterday Representatives Cori Bush (D‑MO) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D‑NJ) introduced the Drug Policy Reform Act, which would federally decriminalize drug possession and redirect federal funds to harm reduction, substance abuse disorder treatment, and education programs. Furthermore, the bill would expunge and seal the records of people with federal drug violation records within one year of enactment.

Among some of the bill’s other praiseworthy provisions are a ban on civil asset forfeitures related to personal drug possession cases, and preventing individuals in the U.S. from being denied legal immigration status because of a history of drug use.

The bill also shifts regulatory authority for substances listed under the Controlled Substances Act from the Drug Enforcement Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, to the Department of Health and Human Services. This is important. Drug use and substance use disorder should be viewed as health issues, not criminal justice issues. Law enforcement has no expertise and should have no say in classifying narcotics and psychoactive substances.

A few features of the bill, such as the ones restoring voting rights to those who served time for drug crimes and the insurance that ex-cons can gain access to drivers’ licenses raise federalism concerns as they intrude on state sovereignty. Yet the bill defers to the states when it comes to state-level drug policy and only decriminalizes drugs on the federal level. Another provision, which prohibits the denial or termination of employment based on a criminal history of drug possession, infringes on the right to contract and on freedom of association.

Last November Oregon became the first state to decriminalize drugs. The landmark ballot proposition went into effect earlier this year. The idea of state-level decriminalization is gaining momentum in other states, including New York, Virginia, and Washington State.

Portugal decriminalized drugs in 2001 and has since seen a dramatic decline in drug overdose deaths, teen drug use, and heroin addiction. Norway, Mexico, and Malaysia are now entertaining similar reforms.

Fifty years ago today President Richard Nixon declared “war on drugs.” The Bush-Coleman Drug Policy Reform Act faces a tough road towards passage. Nevertheless this is a monumental event. With impetus for decriminalization building among the states, and this legislation introduced in Congress, the Overton Window is shifting, and what was once politically unthinkable may soon become mainstream. Hopefully this marks the beginning of the end of America’s longest and perhaps most self-destructive war.