Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2015 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Noelle Crombie

OREGON LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION ASKS LAWMAKERS TO FUND PUBLIC 
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON MARIJUANA

Though retail sales of marijuana aren't likely to begin until 
sometime next year, new personal possession and cultivation 
provisions go into effect in just four months.

Starting July 1, anyone 21 and older may possess up to eight ounces 
of marijuana at home and one ounce in public. A household may grow up 
to four marijuana plants.

The law allow people to possess up to 1 pound of solid edible 
products, 72 ounces of liquid pot products and an ounce of marijuana 
concentrates, such as hash oil.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has asked the Oregon Legislature 
for $350,000 for a public education campaign targeting the new 
limits. Rob Patridge, chairman of the commission, the agency charged 
with overseeing the regulated marijuana industry, said many 
Oregonians don't know what's allowed under the new law.

"We don't want people to do illegal things," he said.

Colorado has spent $5.7 million on its "Good to Know" campaign, an 
effort that gives the public a quick -- and upbeat -- rundown of the 
basics when it comes to the state's marijuana law. The message: Don't 
consume in public, don't drive while high, keep marijuana locked up 
and away from kids and don't leave the state with marijuana.

"Now that marijuana's legal here, we've all got a few things to 
know," says a friendly voice. "But instead of telling you what you 
can't do, we're going to tell you what you can do to."

In Colorado, state officials have done several campaigns around 
marijuana consumption. The state's transportation agency came up with 
a "Drive High, Get a DUI" campaign targeting young male drivers. The 
effort features TV adds and, according to a Denver Post report, 
"widespread outreach to rental car companies and dispensaries to 
inform tourists and marijuana users about marijuana driving laws in Colorado."

The need for education about pot and driving was apparent after CDOT 
conducted a September phone survey of 770 Coloradans, (Colorado 
Department of Transportation spokeswoman Amy) Ford said.

Those who had used pot in the past year were half as likely to think 
a person would get a DUI if they drove within an hour after using pot 
compared to those who had never used marijuana, according to the survey.

"We heard repeatedly that people thought marijuana didn't impact 
their driving ability, and some believed it actually made them a 
better driver," said Ford.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom