Pubdate: Sat, 19 May 2012
Source: Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)
Copyright: 2012 Statesman Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/QEzJupzz
Website: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/427
Author: Peter Wong

PRO-MARIJUANA GROUP SUBMITS SIGNATURES FOR FALL BALLOT MEASURE

Advocates submitted a batch of signatures Friday toward qualifying a
ballot initiative that would legalize personal possession and use of
marijuana for adults in Oregon.

Oregon was the first state in 1973 to decriminalize possession of less
than one ounce of marijuana, punishable as a traffic-type infraction
with a fine of $100 (now $1,000). Chief petitioner Bob Wolfe said
national attitudes since then have evolved, if only by a bare
majority, toward legalization of the drug for personal use by adults.

"If it's going to happen someplace, it's going to happen here first,"
said Wolfe, who is director of Citizens for Sensible Law
Enforcement.

The group submitted 10,000 signatures toward a total of about 122,000
amassed for an early count by the secretary of state. Advocates of
ballot initiatives have until May 25 to submit signatures for the
preliminary check, and July 6 as the deadline to submit all signatures.

They will need 116,284 verified signatures, through sampling, to
qualify the initiative as a proposed constitutional amendment for the
Nov. 6 general election.

Earlier, the state Elections Division announced a $65,000 fine against
Wolfe for allowing payment of petition workers by the signature, which
is prohibited. Wolfe said then he planned to appeal. However, the
signatures will not be excluded from the count.

The initiative differs from a failed 2010 ballot measure that would
have created state-regulated dispensaries where medical-marijuana
patients could obtain the drug. Oregon authorizes marijuana for
specified medical conditions, but bars its sale under a 1998 law.

It also differs from a ballot initiative in Washington state, where
marijuana sales would be permitted and subject to taxation if voters
pass it Nov. 6.

Wolfe said his initiative is written broadly to allow lawmakers to
restrict marijuana in situations involving children and public safety.
But he also said that despite a no-jail policy for simple possession,
Oregon law still requires court time and treatment programs, imposes
fines, and results in financial and social costs to individuals and
society.

"The penalties are far too harsh for the simple act of smoking
marijuana in a personal fashion," he said. "We think it's an
unreasonable use of resources."

Opposition is expected from law enforcement groups and others.
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MAP posted-by: Matt