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Police chiefs are rejecting a ballot measure that would allow licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon, arguing that such a move would further encourage widespread drug abuse.
At a debate Friday, Keizer Police Chief Marc Adams, speaking on behalf Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, described the current medical marijuana program as "broken."
Adams said his association supports access to medical marijuana for sick patients but does not want to see recreational drug abuse.
"We're not talking medicine, we're talking about drugs for profit," he said.
On the Nov. 2 ballot, Measure 74 would authorize the state Department of Human Services to license dispensaries for medical marijuana.
One of the measure's co-authors, John Sajo, represented Voter Power, a marijuana reform organization for medical marijuana patients.
Sajo said marijuana has been qualified by doctors as a safe, effective medicine, but the current program does not regulate a supply system. Sajo said the measure would ensure that dispensaries would be licensed and regulated by the state to provide judicious distribution.
"Right now, we have a completely unregulated supply system," he said.
The two spoke as part of a forum sponsored by the Salem City Club, which provides monthly civic lectures.
In August, a citizen review panel met for a week in Salem and narrowly favored Measure 74. The review was sponsored by the nonpartisan group Healthy Democracy Oregon. The Oregon measure differs from California's medical marijuana dispensary law, which leaves licensing to local governments.
Sajo said Measure 74 would regulate a dispensary system, such as providing labeling requirements for medical marijuana. Zoning regulations and state health oversight also would be part of the measure.
"We're saying, regulate first, and the system will work appropriately," he said.
Adams said he didn't think an overstressed Oregon Department of Human Services would be set up to handle the oversight, and he also thought the measure's language was misleading.
"It's confusing, fraught with legal loopholes and poorly written," he said.
The Salem City Club forum also allowed questions from the audience.
Marion County Circuit Judge Claudia Burton asked whether the measure would provide sufficient tax revenue, or whether it would become another unfunded mandate.
Sajo answered that Measure 74 states that no general funds would be used to regulate dispensaries, but dispensary licensing fees and a 10 percent tax would bring in at least $20 million in its first year.
In response Adams argued that the negative affects of the measure would cost millions of dollars for consequences such as drug dependency clinics and increased law enforcement efforts.
Keizer resident Richard Silverman, a retired pharmacist, said he was opposed to Measure 74 after listening to the debate. Silverman said he didn't think that dispensaries should be distributing medical marijuana, but he would like to see it distributed by pharmacies.
"I would prefer to see a valid prescription dispensed," he said.
Another audience member, John Clarke, who works as a trust officer for Pioneer Bank, said he could understand why law officers are opposed to the measure because it would make their enforcement efforts more difficult. But Clarke said he'd likely vote for the measure because it would provide regulatory measures.
"Anything that moves it from the laws of the jungle to something regulated can be an improvement," he said.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source: statesmanjournal.com
Contact: StatesmanJournal.com | Contact Us
Copyright: 2010 statesmanjournal.com
Website:Video: Medical marijuana measure debated
At a debate Friday, Keizer Police Chief Marc Adams, speaking on behalf Oregon Association Chiefs of Police, described the current medical marijuana program as "broken."
Adams said his association supports access to medical marijuana for sick patients but does not want to see recreational drug abuse.
"We're not talking medicine, we're talking about drugs for profit," he said.
On the Nov. 2 ballot, Measure 74 would authorize the state Department of Human Services to license dispensaries for medical marijuana.
One of the measure's co-authors, John Sajo, represented Voter Power, a marijuana reform organization for medical marijuana patients.
Sajo said marijuana has been qualified by doctors as a safe, effective medicine, but the current program does not regulate a supply system. Sajo said the measure would ensure that dispensaries would be licensed and regulated by the state to provide judicious distribution.
"Right now, we have a completely unregulated supply system," he said.
The two spoke as part of a forum sponsored by the Salem City Club, which provides monthly civic lectures.
In August, a citizen review panel met for a week in Salem and narrowly favored Measure 74. The review was sponsored by the nonpartisan group Healthy Democracy Oregon. The Oregon measure differs from California's medical marijuana dispensary law, which leaves licensing to local governments.
Sajo said Measure 74 would regulate a dispensary system, such as providing labeling requirements for medical marijuana. Zoning regulations and state health oversight also would be part of the measure.
"We're saying, regulate first, and the system will work appropriately," he said.
Adams said he didn't think an overstressed Oregon Department of Human Services would be set up to handle the oversight, and he also thought the measure's language was misleading.
"It's confusing, fraught with legal loopholes and poorly written," he said.
The Salem City Club forum also allowed questions from the audience.
Marion County Circuit Judge Claudia Burton asked whether the measure would provide sufficient tax revenue, or whether it would become another unfunded mandate.
Sajo answered that Measure 74 states that no general funds would be used to regulate dispensaries, but dispensary licensing fees and a 10 percent tax would bring in at least $20 million in its first year.
In response Adams argued that the negative affects of the measure would cost millions of dollars for consequences such as drug dependency clinics and increased law enforcement efforts.
Keizer resident Richard Silverman, a retired pharmacist, said he was opposed to Measure 74 after listening to the debate. Silverman said he didn't think that dispensaries should be distributing medical marijuana, but he would like to see it distributed by pharmacies.
"I would prefer to see a valid prescription dispensed," he said.
Another audience member, John Clarke, who works as a trust officer for Pioneer Bank, said he could understand why law officers are opposed to the measure because it would make their enforcement efforts more difficult. But Clarke said he'd likely vote for the measure because it would provide regulatory measures.
"Anything that moves it from the laws of the jungle to something regulated can be an improvement," he said.
NewsHawk: MedicalNeed:420 MAGAZINE
Source: statesmanjournal.com
Contact: StatesmanJournal.com | Contact Us
Copyright: 2010 statesmanjournal.com
Website:Video: Medical marijuana measure debated
