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Oregon Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #774)

A bill that would legalize marijuana possession and create a state-regulated system of legal marijuana commerce was introduced in the Oregon legislature Monday. That makes Oregon the eighth state to either see such a bill this year or have one pending. The others are Hawaii (already dead), Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

House Bill 3371, also known as the Control, Regulation and Taxation of Cannabis Act was introduced by the House Committee on Revenue. As of Friday, it had yet to be assigned to a committee and was at the Speaker's desk.

The bill would legalize the possession of up to six plants and 24 ounces of marijuana "on the premises" of non-commercial home grows. The bill does not otherwise set possession limits, but leaves them to the Oregon Health Authority to regulate.

The bill would also direct various state agencies to regulate, control, and tax marijuana commerce, with the tax set at $35 an ounce. Marijuana commerce would include "edibles." The bill would also legalize industrial hemp.

Last year, a marijuana legalization initiative, Measure 80, was defeated at the polls, gaining 46.3% of the popular vote. Oregon activists are currently debating whether to move forward with another initiative in 2014 or wait for the next presidential election in 2016. [Ed: Presidential years are considered more favorable with respect to the type of voter turnout.] But Oregonians need not have to wait even until 2014, if the legislature acts on HB 3371.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

kickback (not verified)

6 plants and 24 ounces at home . 1/4 lb. a plant . If your weight goes over the limit , just make some hash . DOJ decision coming any day now .

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:39pm Permalink
Tiffiney McClellan (not verified)

I pray this passes. It will help bring jobs ect. And nicer people. lol 

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 6:32pm Permalink
Bribo (not verified)

At this very moment there are men and women filling our crowded prisons because they use marijuana. There are more medical users behind bars than there are recreational users. How is that?! After paying the state an exorbitant amount of money to protect them from arrest and prosecution the sate turns on these poor people and throws them behind bars anyway. Lives and families are being destroyed every day!

 

We need to legalize marijuana now! Some of you, here, may use marijuana or cannabis. You may have loved ones that use it. Would you like to visit them in prison or jail? Would you like to find yourself there?

 

I would like to urge you to support the legalization of marijuana. By supporting legalization, you can put an end to the suffering of everyday people, such as yourselves, face.

 

By voting for legalization, you can save not just medical victims but yourselves or a family member, saving the community from costly prosecutions.

 

If Marijuana were legal, would more people use it? Probably not. People are already using it, even though it is illegal, you either like it or you do not.

 

If police were freed from pursuing marijuana users, they will have more time and resources to devote to the more serious problems plaguing our communities, such as heroin or meth.

Left alone, marijuana users don't cause anyone any problems. They are just as likely to be productive, stable members of society.

 

Eight of eleven people I spoke to yesterday, were for legalization, two were against with one undecided... I have one question... Where were these people last November?

 

I used to smoke marijuana...----What was I just talking about?...According to the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, mental functions is not affected... Our memories start to go at 30. Anyone, here, over 30? “Long term use does not hurt the mind”. Science News (US) May 22, 1999.

 

I have experienced what it is like to be in prison with murderers, meth heads and junkies and yes, medical marijuana patients. Many of them, have lost there property and their lives have been turned upside down. Instead of being protected by registering, they became targets.

 

Cannabis has many uses besides its euphoric application. Hemp seeds are very nutritious, with fatty acids and proteins. I once lived a week on hemp seed and water, without being hungry. Cannabis has shown "Exceptional" antibacterial activity against MRSA, the deadly flesh eating disease. The pant has 1,000’s of uses. It probably has more uses than the peanut.

 

The benefits of legalization are clear. We will save lives, resources,  and free up our burdened legal system. There IS no downside. Washington and Colorado have had their legal “recreational” use in place for a few months now without increased use or problems associated with it.

 

There are edibles now. Delectable little treats to tickle your palette. Cookies, cakes, muffins, candies and chocolate covered bon bons. You can vaporize, now, therefore, eliminating any smoke.

 

My good people, you don't have to use it, to support it. Do it for your friends, do it for your loved ones, just do it!

I would like to ask you to write your congressman, write your governor and express your support.

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 8:25pm Permalink

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