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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 17,538
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[OR] Democratic Party endorses medical marijuana ballot measure
#13268088 - 09/30/10 01:25 AM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Democratic Party endorses medical marijuana ballot measure September 29, 2010 - theoregonpolitico.com
PORTLAND - The campaign for Measure 74 announced Wednesday that they have received support for their cause from the Democratic Party of Oregon.
Co-Author and Co-Chief Petitioner Anthony Johnson said he expects this endorsement to help his campaign by getting the word out to voters that the measure is on the ballot and that it “further legitimizes medical marijuana as medicine.”
Bruce McCain, although not calling himself a voice against Measure 74, suggested that the measure could be seen as “political cover” for legislation that would further regulate and decriminalize marijuana. McCain, an attorney, is also a retired Captain from the Multnomah County Sherriff’s Office.
“I’m just trying to give an objective analysis of what 74 is going to do, and 74 is simply the next step to Prop 19,” said McCain, citing the California proposal to legalize and regulate marijuana use.
Johnson called the measure “stand alone,” saying it should be debated on its individual merits.
“This is simply a medical marijuana provision to help low-income patients get access to medical marijuana, as opposed to any legalization measure or marijuana measure,” he said, denying that it could be a gateway into legalization of the substance.
The measure would allow for the licensing and regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries. It would designate the newly created Oregon Health Authority as the regulatory body overseeing the dispensaries and their producers, Johnson said.
He added that dispensaries and producers would be required to pay regulation fees to the state to fund health programs and medical research studies.
The dispensaries would be set up by non-profit organizations, be required to have a security plan, and be within a thousand feet of a school or in a residential area.
McCain, however, questioned the medicinal value of the marijuana plant, saying that the Federal Drug Administration has not yet approved the drug for medicinal purposes, which would allow it to be dispensed at regulated pharmacies.
“There’s a reason for that, and that reason is that the federal government hasn’t agreed to that premise,” said McCain.
Still, McCain stated that if marijuana is found to have medicinal value then it should be used, but the FDA has not yet taken the step in agreeing to that.
Johnson noted that the measure would add a “regulated supply system” to help medical marijuana patients in the state to have a safe supply of medicine, as opposed to growing their own or “risk[ing] their well-being on the black market.”
“First and foremost, it allows compassionate, safe access for Oregon medical marijuana patients,” stated Johnson.
Johnson also added that not only will the revenue generated for the state fund medical research and Oregon health programs, but also that the measure will create “thousands of jobs.”
Measure 74 has received support from a majority of the Citizen’s Initiative Review panelists. Searches for an organized opposition to the measure came up dry, yet two committees are registered through the Secretary of State’s office as supporting it.
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4runner


Registered: 07/16/10
Posts: 15,406
Loc: State of Jefferson
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Re: [OR] Democratic Party endorses medical marijuana ballot measure [Re: veggie]
#13269526 - 09/30/10 11:30 AM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Kind of weird how it is set up now. I didn't know you could not sell the green from a dispensary. Although one opened up in So. Oregon they give out about a free gram or so per day per person. They will also give you a "gift" if you make a donation, something like 1 gram for a $10 donation if I remember right.
So don't forget to vote yes on Measure 74.
Oh, and a hell yes for the Oregon Democratic Party and that's something I almost never say.
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Ojom
member




Registered: 10/27/99
Posts: 2,148
Last seen: 3 years, 8 months
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Re: [OR] Democratic Party endorses medical marijuana ballot measure [Re: veggie]
#13273485 - 10/01/10 01:53 AM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
veggie said:
The dispensaries would be set up by non-profit organizations, be required to have a security plan, and be within a thousand feet of a school or in a residential area.
It would appear a word was left out there.
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Le_Canard
The Duk Abides


Registered: 05/16/03
Posts: 94,392
Loc: Earthfarm 1
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Re: [OR] Democratic Party endorses medical marijuana ballot measure [Re: veggie]
#13273617 - 10/01/10 03:25 AM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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It's too bad the national Democratic party doesn't endorse MedMJ and Obama stops going after providers in state that allow it.
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