A Sensible approach to marijuana reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/12/2011
PORTLAND,
OR - As the federal government tries to tighten the screws surrounding
cannabis for medical use, many states have responded with legislation attempts
to end cannabis prohibition for all adults. Oregon is no exception. The most
recent and most viable is Sensible Oregon.
With Madeline Martinez, Sole Proprietress of the World Famous Cannabis
Cafe and Executive Director of Oregon NORML, as Chief Petitioner, the
prospective initiative would remove existing civil and criminal penalties for
adults twenty one years of age, who cultivate, possess, transport, exchange or
use marijuana.
"The state would manage access," reports Martinez, who is also the first
Latina to serve on the board of national NORML, "which will protect our children
and boost our economy. Money that was going to the black market can be funneled
into our state's economy. We all know that drug dealers don't ask for ID."
Sensible Oregon, a group made up of multiple organizations dedicated to
ending adult marijuana prohibition in 2012, began the process in January 2011.
After several drafts, the final result was submitted for circulation over the
4th of July weekend.
"Cannabis prohibition is a costly and harmful policy that unfairly hurts
the poor and wastes tax payer dollars," states Anthony Johnson, Vice President
of Oregon Green Free and Political Director of Progressive Reform of Oregon.
"Our limited law enforcement resources are needlessly spent arresting and
jailing non-violent citizens for using a substance much safer than alcohol and
pharmaceutical narcotics. It is sensible to focus our resources on protecting
our state's citizens from burglars, rapists and murderers."
By removing all civil and criminal penalties for cannabis for adults,
this innovative proposal will allow the legislature to enact the industrial hemp
bill that passed the Oregon legislature in 2009. Our farmers will help create
new sustainable jobs, and we can eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and
provide Oregon's children the quality education they deserve and need to lead
our future.
Current laws surrounding minors and DUII will remain in place to protect
public safety. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act is also retained to ensure that
the program's 50,000 registrants are safeguarded.
Currently recruiting volunteer petitioners and interns, members of
Sensible Oregon are available for speaking engagements and to provide
information. Please feel free to contact us at sensibleoregon@gmail.com, 503-239-6110, find us on
facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SensibleOregon, or Twitter athttp://twitter.com/#!/SensibleOregon.