Liberalize recreational marijuana use but regulate it
Gov. Kate Brown has signed two bills that make key changes to Oregon's recreational marijuana program, including one that removes a 2-year residency requirement for marijuana licensees and another that aims to draw small medical growers into the
regulated system.
HB-4014 Legislative Summary:Makes changes to laws regulating production, processing, sale, use and governance of cannabis:
A marijuana producer must have a production license; that license must be annually renewed.
SB-1598 Legislative Summary:Exempts research marijuana from requiring a license to produce marijuana;; allows for fingerprinting of applica
Support marijuana trade between states when federal laws end
Legislative Summary: SB582: Authorizes Governor to enter into agreement with another state for purposes of cross-jurisdictional coordination & enforcement of marijuana-related businesses and cross-jurisdictional delivery of marijuana items.
Craft Cannabis Alliance analysis: Senate Bill 582 allows Oregon's governor to enter into agreements with other states for the licensed interstate transfer of cannabis as soon as the federal government indicates that such transactions
would no longer be subject to prosecution under federal law. "Oregon's bill is a sensible fix for a myriad of issues that arise when you have a thriving legal market bumping up against the remnants of a failed federal prohibition," said the executive
director of the Craft Cannabis Alliance.
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 19-9-2 on May/15/19; Passed House 43-16-1 on Jun/11/19; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on Jun/20/19
C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 members)
About NORML (from their website, www.norml.org):
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law`s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.
NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.
NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession
& responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called `decriminalization.`
NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as `legalization.`
NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.
NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.
Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.