Pubdate: Wed, 22 Apr 2009
Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR)
Copyright: 2009 The Mail Tribune
Contact:  http://www.mailtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/642
Note: Only prints LTEs from within it's circulation area, 200 word count limit
Author: Dawn Hatchard
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CANNABIS CENTER OPENS

The Southern Oregon chapter of a national group backing marijuana law 
reforms will offer education, advice, support for patients

Advocates for legalizing marijuana have opened a Cannabis Resource 
Center in downtown Medford.

Organizers of the Southern Oregon chapter of the National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said the center will 
provide education, advocacy and support for medical marijuana 
patients and providers, information on marijuana legislation and a 
place for support groups to meet. But the center will not distribute 
marijuana, medical or otherwise, they said.

"We absolutely forbid the transfer of cannabis for consideration on 
the premises," said Christopher Pride, 36, executive director of 
Southern Oregon NORML.

Opened Monday in a former real estate office at 1109 N. Riverside 
Ave., the center is divided into two sections.

The first is open to the public and includes a meeting room and 
offices for a physician and registered nurse, the only paid staff at 
the center. The physician's position is currently available. The 
registered nurse coordinates groups, gives advice and assists with 
medical records for medical marijuana cardholders and others needing services.

The second section, behind a green door, is strictly for cardholders 
in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. This section includes a 
resource library with computers and Internet access, a cardholders' 
store and cardholders' lounge.

Those under 18 will not be allowed to enter unless they are approved 
and supervised under OMMP guidelines.

"Kids don't need to be around cannabis any more than they need to be 
exposed to alcohol," said Pride, a Southern Oregon University 
graduate in business, commercial diver and medical marijuana cardholder.

Medford police Lt. Tim Doney said many other jurisdictions have 
similar marijuana resource centers.

"As long as they're not committing a crime, we're not too concerned," 
Doney said.

The center and paid staff are supported by membership dues and 
donations from the community. Currently the center maintains 40 to 50 
volunteers, Pride said.

Oregon has 20,971 medical marijuana cardholders. Jackson County is 
ranked third, with 1,965 cardholders, behind Multnomah and Lane 
counties, according to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program Web site.

Pride said primary focuses for Southern Oregon NORML are marijuana 
legislation and establishing industry standards for cannabis farmers.

NORML seeks a clear set of guidelines for safety, quality and 
taxation of medical marijuana grow sites.

"We are losing billions of dollars in tax revenue as a country," 
Pride said. Medical marijuana providers are not taxed for their 
product like other produce farmers, he said, adding NORML would like 
to see cannabis farmers pay their fair share of taxes.

"We want to be treated like any other farm," said Pride.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. For 
more information, call 550-1656.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom