Pubdate: Sun, 17 Oct 2010
Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR)
Copyright: 2010 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: Robert Wolfe
Note: Robert Wolfe is media liaison for the Measure 74 campaign. This 
opinion was signed by John Sajo of Dillard, the principal author of 
Ballot Measure 74, Anthony Johnson of Portland, co-author and 
co-chief petitioner; and Alice Ivany of Toledo and and Jim Klahr of 
Milwaukie, co-chief petitioners.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?276 (Measure 74 (Oregon))

MEASURE 74 BRINGS NEEDED REGULATION

Virtually all who have evaluated Measure 74 agree that new steps need 
to be taken to provide safe, reliable access to medical marijuana. 
One way or another, Oregon will have to regulate the supply of this medicine.

If we don't seize this moment to step in and create a regulated 
production and delivery system, we could soon find the situation with 
medical marijuana spiraling out of control. Just ask the people of 
Colorado or Los Angeles -- in each case, elected leaders were much 
too slow to create sensible regulations. Only after chaos reigned did 
they step in.

For Oregon's 40,000 doctor-approved patients, we think establishing 
Measure 74's system of dedicated, nonprofit clinics -- similar to 
pharmacies -- is the best choice.

Do we really expect the legislature to act without Measure 74? After 
12 years with the existing medical marijuana law, there has been no 
serious effort in Salem to create a legitimate supply. That's why 
Measure 74 is necessary, and why passing it is so important.

Measure 74 will improve the quality of life for seriously ill 
patients who qualify for medical marijuana under existing law. It 
removes the fear and uncertainty patients face now, and will put a 
stop to black-market profiteers exploiting patients for financial gain.

Measure 74 outlines the basic rules and legal structure to create 
such a program, while requiring the Oregon Health Authority to write 
strict rules that will allow the system to function properly. The 
rulemaking process allows all interested parties to have significant 
input: law enforcement, doctors, patients, local communities and others.

Opening a medical marijuana clinic would be a daunting task, 
requiring real business acumen and the ability to manage what will 
certainly be among the most heavily regulated businesses in Oregon.

As the first step, proposed clinics can only be operated by nonprofit 
companies, which are monitored by the Oregon Department of Justice. 
All the directors of the nonprofit must be Oregon residents, and 
satisfy residency requirements that will be established by the Oregon 
Health Authority. Those directors must also pass a criminal background check.

Measure 74 imposes substantial additional requirements: proposed 
clinics must meet zoning laws, install a security system, and open 
their premises and books to review and inspections. Medical marijuana 
could be obtained only from licensed growers, and provided only to 
certified patients. A record must be kept of every transaction, and a 
10 percent gross receipts tax must be paid quarterly.

All of this is in addition to the standard list of tasks any business 
must accomplish: licensing, hiring, payroll taxes, lease negotiations and more.

The number of clinics needed statewide is hard to calculate in 
advance. Not all patients will use one. But all patients need 
reasonable access to reliably obtain their medicine. Measure 74 gives 
state regulators the ability to authorize or limit the number of 
clinics as they see fit. That's a big contrast with the systems that 
sprang up in some other states in the absence of regulation.

In drafting Measure 74, we have imposed a degree of regulation of 
medical marijuana that far exceeds that of any other state. Measure 
74 incorporates valuable lessons. Oregon's system under Measure 74 
will be a model of safety and regulation for the entire nation.

We all feel compassion for seriously ill patients, and we all share 
common concerns for implementing Measure 74 fairly and effectively, 
while ensuring that medical marijuana clinics are a positive presence 
wherever they operate. When Measure 74 passes in November, let's 
agree to come together as Oregonians and make the system work.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom