NULLIFICATION IN OREGON TAKES EFFECT AS MARIJUANA BECOMES LEGALIZED
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Haley Hascall
hhascall@uoregon.edu
Prior marijuana convictions and sentences are being reduced in Oregon due to the recent legalization of marijuana, helping to further fight the war on drugs
PORTLAND, ORE., JULY 16, 2015 – Once every 39 minutes someone is arrested or cited for marijuana in Oregon. Today, more than 78,000 people in Oregon who have prior marijuana convictions under state law could be eligible to have their sentences reduced, records sealed and convictions set aside.
As marijuana became legalized two weeks ago on July 1, 2015, Gov. Brown signed HB3400 into law, which implements both a commercial cannabis market in Oregon and reduces most marijuana felonies to misdemeanors or lesser felonies. According to Drug Policy Alliance, the new law contains broad sentencing reform provisions, which extend beyond eliminating criminal penalties on personal possession and cultivation, ultimately reforming the legal system. This is all thanks to those who support New Approach Oregon and voted for Measure 91 and having the state to back those people up and say “no” to the federal government.
Much like the federal alcohol prohibition, legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational use is sweeping across the country while Oregon joins a growing number of states that are ignoring the federal prohibition. The federal government needs full sate cooperation to enforce the drug ban and fight the drug war, and that has greatly decreased throughout the years.
As Tamar Todd, the Drug Policy Alliance Director of Marijuana Law and Policy states, “With this new law, Oregon is not only taking a bold step forward to end the war on drugs, but is actively addressing and reversing the terrible consequences of that war.”
While the recent legalization of Marijuana in Oregon primarily affects Oregon residents, it will continue to be an example of how saying “no” to federal prohibition will ultimately be beneficial and help to fight the war on drugs. By reducing state penalties and encouraging freedom, Oregon, and other states like Oregon, will continue to fight the foundation of federal power, further nullifying unconstitutional federal prohibition. As Mike Maharrey, the Communications Director for the Tenth Amendment Center states, “When enough states simply say, “No!” to federal marijuana prohibition, we will finally have drug peace.”
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LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN OREGON GOES INTO EFFECT WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015, PER MEASURE 91
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Haley Hascall
hhascall@uoregon.edu
As marijuana becomes legalized, regulated and taxed in Oregon, there are many questions regarding measure 91 and what this now means for Oregonians.
PORTLAND, ORE., JULY 1, 2015 – Marijuana has become legalized for the state of Oregon today, as New Approach Oregon celebrates their victory from November 2014 with Measure 91.
Measure 91 implicates the legalization, regulation, and taxation of the use and sale of Marijuana and passed with a 12-point victory. Today, many Oregonians, and Americans, are wondering what exactly this means for the state of Oregon and what is legal today versus what isn’t, as well as what is different between our state laws and other states where marijuana is legal on the West coast.
Following in the recent footsteps of Colorado and Washington, Oregon has high hopes for what the legalization of marijuana brings to our state and economy. As of today, adults 21 and over are of legal age to smoke marijuana in their homes, but not in public. Legal adults are allowed to grow up to four plants and have up to eight ounces of marijuana in their homes, as well as up to one ounce on their person.
Like any substance, driving under the influence is illegal, and it cannot be taken out of Oregon into another state where Marijuana is not yet legalized. Although edibles are legal when made and consumed in ones private home, purchasing or selling marijuana is still illegal until licensed retail shops open next year where it will then be taxed and regulated more thoroughly. According to Lizzy Duffy of OPB, there are ways to get around this rule, “Marijuana can be given away, so if you know anyone who has a medical marijuana card, they can legally share bugs, seeds or plants with you”.
With the right laws put in place, the legalization of marijuana can bring positive changes such as; protecting children, taking money and power away from the criminal market and drug cartels, focusing law enforcement resources on violent crimes, protecting the medical marijuana system, and generating tax revenue for important public services. New Approach Oregon stands for protecting the thoughtful measure Oregonians voted for. They believe that being informed is vital in order to make positive changes in our community and that Measure 91 can do that when handled properly.
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Moms from Oregon, Colorado and Washington endorse Measure 91 to regulate, legalize and tax marijuana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Oct. 17, 2014
Contact: Peter Zuckerman, (310) 507-4689
Moms from Oregon, Colorado and Washington endorse Measure 91 to regulate, legalize and tax marijuana
Today, moms from Oregon, Washington and Colorado gathered at the Yes on 91 headquarters to show their support for Measure 91, which would regulate, legalize and tax marijuana for adults 21 and older.
“My top priority is the safety of my children,” said Leah Mauer, who founded a Facebook group called Moms for Yes on 91. “The current approach is failing to keep them safe. A better approach is to take marijuana away from illegal dealers and cartels and put it behind the counter at a regulated, inspected and properly zoned store.”
Colorado and Washington are already experiencing successful results from their approval of the regulated use of marijuana:
Teen use and access to marijuana is down in Colorado. (Source: US News & World Report, Aug. 7
Arrests are down for marijuana violations. (Source: The Denver Post, Jan. 14)
Traffic fatalities are at near historic lows. (Source: The Washington Post, Aug. 5)
Teen use of marijuana has also gone down since legalization in Portugal, the Netherlands and other countries where marijuana is legally sold. (Source: Time Magazine, April 26, 2009; and UC Berkeley, Sept. 13, 2011)
The benefits of legalization in Oregon will outweigh the costs. (Source: The University of Oregon, Oct. 16, 2014)
Mothers from Washington and Colorado reported that little has changed since marijuana became legal, except that police are refocused on violent crimes and money going to cartels and gangs is now going to essential public services.
“There are only a couple stores in Spokane, one of them is next door to Jazzercise,” said Cathy Doerr, a mom of three from Spokane, Washington. “Even though a store opened there, nothing has changed. I feel as safe as ever and I feel more comfortable knowing that marijuana is being sold from behind a counter where someone is checking ID. I think that will keep it away from teenagers.”
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OREGON RACIAL JUSTICE GROUPS:END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION
For Immediate Release — September 29, 2014
Anthony Johnson, Chief Petitioner: 503-752-3966
Peter Zuckerman, Communications Director: 310-507-4689
Measure 91: Current system has unfair impact on communities of color
People of color in Oregon are 100 percent more likely to face legal punishments for marijuana than white people, despite equal rates of use. The current system is failing, and the following groups today are endorsing Measure 91 because it removes unfairly harsh punishments that disrupt lives.
The new groups to endorse Measure 91 are:
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), which has worked for social justice for more than 15 years and continues to evolve as Oregon’s leading Asian and Pacific Islander grassroots advocacy organization.
Partnership for Safety and Justice, which works to reform the criminal justice system and achieve a more balanced approach to public safety. They join theACLU of Oregon and the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association as other criminal justice organizations endorsing Measure 91.
Western States Center, which has worked for 27 years on community organization to challenge and transform individuals, organizations and systems to achieve racial, gender and economic justice.
The Rural Oregon Project, which represents tens of thousands of Oregonians in small towns and rural communities in all 36 of Oregon’s counties.
“Too many people have been punished, and too many of them have been youth and people of color,” said the Partnership for Safety and Justice in a statement. “Too many tax dollars have been wasted without increasing public safety. Too many public resources have been diverted that could have been used to help crime victims and address unmet community needs across Oregon…. We believe that it is time to start addressing marijuana realistically as a health, education and economic issue. Measure 91 would do just that.”
Every day the encompassing list of groups embracing Measure 91 as a better approach to marijuana regulation is growing. They represent hundreds of thousands of Oregonians with a wide range of concerns.
Measure 91 will regulate, legalize and tax marijuana for adults 21 and over in Oregon. Revenue raised from a regulated market will fund schools, state and local law enforcement and drug treatment and prevention programs.
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VARIED COALITION OF INFLUENTIAL GROUPS ALL AGREE: VOTE YES ON MEASURE 91
For Immediate Release — September 26, 2014
Peter Zuckerman, Communications Director: 310-507-4689
Anthony Johnson, Chief Petitioner: 503-752-3966
Today, five more organizations endorsed Oregon’s Measure 91 to regulate, legalize and tax marijuana for adults 21 and older. These groups are:
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 88 (AFSCME), the largest employee union in Multnomah County with approximately 2,600 represented employees. They join AFSCME Local 328and United Food and Commercial Workers 555, which had previous endorsed Measure 91.
Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans, which works to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens. The Alliance joins the Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens, as the second senior organization to endorse the campaign.
Partnership for Safety and Justice, which works to reform the criminal justice system and achieve a more balanced approach to public safety. They join several other criminal justice organization like the ACLU of Oregon, the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
Western States Center, which has worked for 27 years on community organization to challenge and transform individuals, organizations and systems to achieve racial, gender and economic justice.
The Rural Oregon Project, which represents tens of thousands of Oregonians in small towns and rural communities in all 36 of Oregon’s counties.
These groups join a growing list of endorsing organization representing tens of thousands of Oregonians with a wide range of concerns.
“Constituents of these groups are young and old, working people and retired people and some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Dan Mahr, Yes on 91 campaign manager. “We’re all impacted by the failed approach of treating marijuana as a crime. Regulating, legalizing and taxing it is a better approach that will allow police to refocus resources and generate revenue for vital state and local services.”
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