Robert Celt
New Member
"The Oregon Health Authority is proposing to destroy the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program by over-regulation that will make criminals out of thousands of patients and the growers who provide for them." - John Sajo
Were Oregon voters boondoggled when they "legalized" marijuana? Some say "Yes". But not by those that brought it forward; no... it was a political move, well played.
Three times within the text, it was said that Measure 91 would "retain current medical marijuana laws". Three times. It passed by a 12-point margin by Oregon voters. Citizens were thrilled, and proud. Finally! The end of cannabis prohibition in Oregon!
Then, the Legislature apparently was overcome by the impression that the (adult and most likely literate) voters did not understand marijuana and they decided to implement changes, for the benefit of said naive adults.
These suggested changes do not just affect the recreational end of things though, unfortunately the well-established Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) itself is under fire, and patients now have to fight to counter further disembowelment of the perfectly healthy program.
More than 50 people assembled for a rally on the West steps of the Capitol Tuesday at noon. Within the hour, the number had swelled to 200 and an overflow area was opened up for the hearing on HB 4014 in front of the Joint Committee On Marijuana Legalization in room 343.
"We are rallying for the legislature to revisit their legislation to halt the implementation of the parts of HB 3400 which hurts low income patients, our medical cannabis supply that also supplies for all adults until the end of the year and will cause more patients and growers to grow non-compliantly because that is how their people have safe access to cannabis," explained Sarah Duff, Owner & Manager at Duff Johnson Consulting.
In anticipation of what might take place at the hearing, John Sajo, longtime cannabis activist, said he expects the OHA to loosen up the new regulations on the OMMP. However, that is just a small part of the work needed.
"There is a lot in the proposed OHA rules that will make life more difficult for patients and their providers. 100 pages of new rules people are supposed to implement by March 1 and most don't even know it is happening!
"Oregon doesn't need big investors. OMMP farmers have proven they can handle the medical and the recreational product. Medical marijuana dispensaries have proven they can manage both medical and recreational under one roof," Sajo told me.
"The OMMP is a successful health program that provides medicine for tens of thousands, raises a few million for other health programs and provides a small income to thousands of growers. The proposed OHA rules turn this into a bureaucratic nightmare that will destroy all this."
So who benefits from all of this? There is nothing in the new rules to help patients. Seriously.
"The problem with all of this is politics. Politics made it happen, and politics is tearing it apart. It's time to push the politicians aside, and the big money out of state investors and lobbyists ...and put the patients first. That is our common ground, PATIENTS," wrote Sandy Diesel, who came with a bus of patient activists from southern Oregon.
According to the new rules, growers would have to have elaborate security involving fences, cameras and remote data storage.
"Requiring this for large scale rec farmers who are going to make millions of dollars is one thing," said Sajo.
"Requiring this for small medical growers who are lucky to break even or live month to month is completely impossible.
"The OHA should listen to the public testimony and start over. The Legislature should over-rule the OHA and protect the OMMA, as voters directed when they passed Measure 91," said Sajo.
Medical farmer Myke Brownley joined about 70 people in Conference room F, the overflow room, watching the hearing on a big screen TV. He was pleased to hear that "OMMP growers will not have as strict a system as OLCC". When that comment was made by the committee, the overflow room erupted with applause.
"It looks like they're making an effort to separate medical and recreation, so that's a relief because we don't have resources for it," said Brownley. "Otherwise, this would put OMMP under."
They also postponed tracking until May 1. There was, however, no talk of eliminating the plant number restrictions.
Following the hearing, Sarah Duff said, "We need to defend safe access for low income patients through allowing growers to continue to subsidize medicine by growing and providing for as many patients as they can.
"Patients in most of the state have no access unless they have a grower because the nearest store is hundreds of miles away. This forces the need of large patient gardens."
She added, "We can't forget that most of the state has no dispensaries and a grower is their only path to safe access. Patients that lose their grower are more likely to seek out black market cannabis than OLCC adult use cannabis."
Next Monday, February 8, is Cannabis Lobby Day at the Oregon State Capitol. Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH), along with several other cannabis organizations, will be participating in the rally/protest on the Capitol's front steps.
The free speech event will feature speakers, music and vendors, from 12pm to 5pm to protect the OMMP and continue the fight for patient rights and access to medicine. Priorities include:
"We suggest to those who cannot attend to call or write to your representative and fill their inbox and voice mail with your input! Make your voice heard!"
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oregon Medical Marijuana Program At Risk With Over-Regulation
Author: Bonnie King
Contact: Salem-News
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Salem-News
Were Oregon voters boondoggled when they "legalized" marijuana? Some say "Yes". But not by those that brought it forward; no... it was a political move, well played.
Three times within the text, it was said that Measure 91 would "retain current medical marijuana laws". Three times. It passed by a 12-point margin by Oregon voters. Citizens were thrilled, and proud. Finally! The end of cannabis prohibition in Oregon!
Then, the Legislature apparently was overcome by the impression that the (adult and most likely literate) voters did not understand marijuana and they decided to implement changes, for the benefit of said naive adults.
These suggested changes do not just affect the recreational end of things though, unfortunately the well-established Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) itself is under fire, and patients now have to fight to counter further disembowelment of the perfectly healthy program.
More than 50 people assembled for a rally on the West steps of the Capitol Tuesday at noon. Within the hour, the number had swelled to 200 and an overflow area was opened up for the hearing on HB 4014 in front of the Joint Committee On Marijuana Legalization in room 343.
"We are rallying for the legislature to revisit their legislation to halt the implementation of the parts of HB 3400 which hurts low income patients, our medical cannabis supply that also supplies for all adults until the end of the year and will cause more patients and growers to grow non-compliantly because that is how their people have safe access to cannabis," explained Sarah Duff, Owner & Manager at Duff Johnson Consulting.
In anticipation of what might take place at the hearing, John Sajo, longtime cannabis activist, said he expects the OHA to loosen up the new regulations on the OMMP. However, that is just a small part of the work needed.
"There is a lot in the proposed OHA rules that will make life more difficult for patients and their providers. 100 pages of new rules people are supposed to implement by March 1 and most don't even know it is happening!
"Oregon doesn't need big investors. OMMP farmers have proven they can handle the medical and the recreational product. Medical marijuana dispensaries have proven they can manage both medical and recreational under one roof," Sajo told me.
"The OMMP is a successful health program that provides medicine for tens of thousands, raises a few million for other health programs and provides a small income to thousands of growers. The proposed OHA rules turn this into a bureaucratic nightmare that will destroy all this."
So who benefits from all of this? There is nothing in the new rules to help patients. Seriously.
"The problem with all of this is politics. Politics made it happen, and politics is tearing it apart. It's time to push the politicians aside, and the big money out of state investors and lobbyists ...and put the patients first. That is our common ground, PATIENTS," wrote Sandy Diesel, who came with a bus of patient activists from southern Oregon.
According to the new rules, growers would have to have elaborate security involving fences, cameras and remote data storage.
"Requiring this for large scale rec farmers who are going to make millions of dollars is one thing," said Sajo.
"Requiring this for small medical growers who are lucky to break even or live month to month is completely impossible.
"The OHA should listen to the public testimony and start over. The Legislature should over-rule the OHA and protect the OMMA, as voters directed when they passed Measure 91," said Sajo.
Medical farmer Myke Brownley joined about 70 people in Conference room F, the overflow room, watching the hearing on a big screen TV. He was pleased to hear that "OMMP growers will not have as strict a system as OLCC". When that comment was made by the committee, the overflow room erupted with applause.
"It looks like they're making an effort to separate medical and recreation, so that's a relief because we don't have resources for it," said Brownley. "Otherwise, this would put OMMP under."
They also postponed tracking until May 1. There was, however, no talk of eliminating the plant number restrictions.
Following the hearing, Sarah Duff said, "We need to defend safe access for low income patients through allowing growers to continue to subsidize medicine by growing and providing for as many patients as they can.
"Patients in most of the state have no access unless they have a grower because the nearest store is hundreds of miles away. This forces the need of large patient gardens."
She added, "We can't forget that most of the state has no dispensaries and a grower is their only path to safe access. Patients that lose their grower are more likely to seek out black market cannabis than OLCC adult use cannabis."
Next Monday, February 8, is Cannabis Lobby Day at the Oregon State Capitol. Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp (CRRH), along with several other cannabis organizations, will be participating in the rally/protest on the Capitol's front steps.
The free speech event will feature speakers, music and vendors, from 12pm to 5pm to protect the OMMP and continue the fight for patient rights and access to medicine. Priorities include:
- Prevent over-regulation of marijuana under M91 by the OHA, OLCC, OAC and ONI that could hinder, rather than aid, the creation, regulation and stabilization of legal marijuana related businesses.
- No Federal Scheduling - Support the effort to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. It is time for the federal government to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.
- Show support for social cannabis clubs. Clubs are an essential aspect of our culture and there should be allowance for these types of clubs.
- Network with Other Local Groups — CRRH, The Human Solution International, Oregon Chapter of Parents 4 Pot, Portland NORML, Cannabis Liberation Front and more! .
"We suggest to those who cannot attend to call or write to your representative and fill their inbox and voice mail with your input! Make your voice heard!"
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Oregon Medical Marijuana Program At Risk With Over-Regulation
Author: Bonnie King
Contact: Salem-News
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Salem-News
