Law Requiring Fences Around Pot Grows Creates Some Eyesores MURPHY - They say good fences make good neighbors. Then there are the fences that enclose the growing number of Josephine County's marijuana grow sites. There are a lot of them. And they are often ugly, especially when topped by a couple feet of plastic. Among those unhappy with the proliferation of Visqueen view blockers is Chris Locke, a Murphy landscape nursery owner who endures the sight of a neighbor's fenced marijuana grow. [continues 866 words]
As recreational marijuana cultivation emerges from decades in the shadows in Oregon, residents face a vexing challenge: Where will new licensed farms, processing plants and retailers be allowed to locate? Banned outright in big chunks of the state, recreational marijuana facilities face a complicated patchwork of quickly drafted local land-use laws in areas, such as Lane County, that are allowing them. Those local rules are, at times, viewed as too permissive by longtime residents suddenly confronted with the reality of a new marijuana farm or processing facility nearby. Commercial-scale marijuana producers, meanwhile, want to be able to proceed with their new business ventures without unreasonable hassles from neighbors or bureaucratic barriers from local officials. [continues 2329 words]
I read where our county and city officials are concerned about the influx of casinos. I would think they would be more concerned about the influx of marijuana and the problems that go with it. You can't get a DUII from going to a casino. No such thing as driving under the influence of casino. You don't have the odor from a casino drifting over your fence from a casino-playing neighbor. Put your heads back on your shoulders and stop and think. Employers will be taxing people, not earning money under the table. In applying for a job, how many employers ask if you have a player card? R. W. Golphenee Medford [end]
Let's Twist Up a Fattie... of News! Halfway There!-What's round at both ends and high in the middle? Snoop Dogg standing between two medicine balls. Also, Ohio! Governor John "Welp, I Tried" Kasich signed a bill this month to legalize medical cannabis, making the Buckeye State the 25th state. It won't go into effect for 90 days, and when it does, it will have some restrictions: Although residents with a doctor's recommendation will be allowed to use cannabis, there will not be any (legal) licensed growers or dispensaries in the state until 2017 or 2018. [continues 561 words]
The Feds May Be Moving Slowly, But There's No Turning Back I keep reading articles about new states with weed programs. How is this still illegal federally? I KEEP READING about them too. Last month, Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana. Last week, it was Louisiana. As of today, 25 states and Washington, DC, have legalized weed for medical use. That's sort of more than half. By the end of this year, a true majority of states will have legalized something that is federally illegal. [continues 429 words]
We've reached another green-letter day in the state of Oregon's continuing experiment with legalizing recreational marijuana: Beginning Thursday, edible pot products are available for retail sale in registered medical marijuana dispensaries across the state. Not in Linn County, though: At this writing, no medical marijuana dispensary in the county legally can sell recreational marijuana, and that includes edibles intended for recreational users. Local governments throughout the county (including Linn County) have barred medical dispensaries from selling recreational pot. Voters in each of those jurisdictions will get a chance in November to decide the fate of those restrictions. [continues 517 words]
'It's Like the Circus Around Here,' Says One Commissioner PORTLAND, Ore. - After months of public hearings with pot growers, lawmen, public health officials and others, an Oregon commission is racing to finalize recreational marijuana regulations and issue licenses to hundreds of businesses within a few months. But those who aim to produce souped-up coffee and other niche products might have to wait a bit longer. "It's like the circus around here," Oregon Liquor Control Commission Chair Rob Patridge said after a hearing in which a pot advocate and a panel member argued about whether marijuana is safer than alcohol, and an entrepreneur discussed selling marijuana-infused java, eliciting blank looks from commissioners. [continues 123 words]
PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) - After months of public hearings with pot growers, lawmen, public health officials and others, an Oregon commission is racing to finalize recreational marijuana regulations and issue licenses to hundreds of businesses within a few months. But those who aim to produce souped-up coffee and other niche products might have to wait a bit longer. "It's like the circus around here," Oregon Liquor Control Commission Chair Rob Patridge said after a hearing in which a pot advocate and a panel member argued about whether marijuana is safer than alcohol, and an entrepreneur discussed selling marijuana-infused java, eliciting blank looks from commissioners. [continues 822 words]
A Look at the Cannabis-Friendly North Fork 53 Homestead IN A FUTURE COLUMN, we'll take a closer look at the seemingly schizophrenic rules being issued by city and state agencies that are making it damn near impossible to find anyplace outside your home to consume cannabis. (Spoiler alert: It's not going to be a feel-good column.) But for now, let's talk about something that will be a feel-good experience, namely the multifaceted gem North Fork 53, just down the road a piece on Highway 53 by Manzanita. [continues 619 words]
Are Giant Marijuana Companies on the Way? Will new cannabis laws create giant marijuana companies, like a Philip Morris or Anheuser-Busch of weed? SIGNS POINT to yes. The pot industry is in a curious place. On one hand, it is still a cottage industry. On the other, there are lots and lots of cottages, with legal sales projected to hit $6.7 billion this year. Somehow this is happening despite recreational weed being legal in just four states and despite the strictures of federal law. Since we have no idea how pot will be regulated going forward, it's actually kind of fun to theorize about it. [continues 417 words]
As of Thursday, anyone 21 or older can legally buy edible marijuana products, extracts and lotions in Oregon. There goes another brick in the wall of pot prohibition that Oregonians voted to tear down in 2014. It's likely that many Oregonians weren't aware of just how thorough the demolition job would be. An anything-goes marijuana economy is emerging, where everything from old-fashioned joints to pot-infused truffles is available. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which is charged with regulating recreational marijuana, needs to be vigilant in protecting consumers and public health - and the 2017 Legislature should be prepared to address any unwanted and unforeseen consequences of legalization. [continues 445 words]
I lucked into a few thousand bucks. Can I invest in weed? YES, BUT probably not in the way you're thinking. The general rule in this country is that only wealthy people get to invest in private companies. These "accredited investors" are allowed to invest under an exemption to the Securities and Exchange Commission's private offerings rules. If you made $200,000 for each of the past few years, or your net worth is north of $1 million, you may qualify. Most of us do not qualify, and probably don't fall under one of the less common exemptions either. The idea is that most people could not weather a financial shellacking and the world is filled with crooks. [continues 396 words]
Health Officials Warn to Keep Them Away From Children Area marijuana dispensaries and public health officials are recommending that recreational users use caution with extracts and edibles that will be come available Thursday, especially around children. Edible marijuana products with up to 15 milligrams of THC will be available at dispensaries that serve recreational users 21 and older. What's available at dispensaries for recreational users has a fraction of the potency available to medical marijuana cardholders, but Peter Gross, COO of Green Valley Wellness and Epic Edibles, says those not familiar with how an edible product affects them should be careful in the beginning. [continues 423 words]
It's Easy to Overdo Edibles. Here's Proof. RECREATIONAL CANNABIS EDIBLES are legal in Oregon starting June 2, which is great news. To be honest, I've actually been crafting them for recreational and medical use for more than 20 years. I often get asked, "Have you ever gotten too high on edibles?" And the answer is: Of course-regular readers will recognize impulse control isn't one of my strong points. The real question, though, is: "What's the worst experience someone's ever had from eating too many of your special cookies?" That's a long list from which to choose. [continues 667 words]
Bud bonus: We supported the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2014 for a number of reasons, from our belief in the reasonable exercise of personal liberty to the fact that recreational use was basically legal already thanks to the state's medical marijuana program. Way, way down on the list was the potential for recreational weed to generate piles of tax revenue. Legalization would make sense even if it produced nothing for state or local governments. Still, $10.5 million is nothing to sneeze at. That's how much the state has collected in only the first three months of taxed marijuana sales, Noelle Crombie of The Oregonian/OregonLive reported this week. At that rate, the state will pull in about $43 million in tax revenue from pot sales this year, according to the Legislative Revenue Office. That number might not seem large compared to, say, the billions of dollars the state collects in personal income taxes each year. But it's a heck of a lot more than the $2 million to $3 million in revenue economists had expected the state to collect this year. [continues 89 words]
Today, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law a provision of SB 1511, which will allow dispensaries to sell marijuana edibles and extracts to recreational customers. Under the current SB 1511, dispensaries are only able to sell edible and extract products to medicinal patients. Edibles and extracts were included in the original draft of the bill, but lawmakers decided there were too many safety concerns that needed to be assessed before they could include them in recreational sales. Myron Brandwine manages Casper's Cannabis Club, the recently opened marijuana dispensary near the University of Oregon. He said they are looking forward to selling these products to recreational customers. [continues 249 words]
Not All of Oregon Supports Legal Weed I HEARD WEED is still not happening in parts of Oregon. What's the latest? Things are coming around slowly. You know: strikes and gutters, ups and downs. You may recall that last week, when you dropped off your ballot for the presidential, state, and local races, pot was not on the ballot. For people in Grant and Klamath counties, the opposite was true. Both counties voted on measures to allow medical and retail facilities, and to allow citizens of the empire to access weed as we do here in Portland. Regrettably, both measures failed. [continues 418 words]
It's Easy to Forget About Anti-Weed Prohibitionists. Don't. AS WE APPROACH the one-year anniversary of recreational cannabis legalization in Oregon, it's easy to forget about the prohibitionist forces that aren't happy about it. This is a mistake, though-these opponents are spending massive amounts of time, money, and energy to roll back the progress that's been made. I've always struggled to understand who these prohibitionists are. I get that some religious people have a moral objection to cannabis and its use-which they've somehow extrapolated from that very popular book about the zombie miracle worker with a cool beverage party trick, who struggled with some serious daddy issues before being immortalized as a white Middle Easterner who looks like the Dude. [continues 611 words]
Commissioners OK Step After Beefing Up Zoning Enforcement. Clackamas County voters will be asked to approve a 3 percent local tax on retail sales of marijuana for recreational use. County commissioners started the process of referring the tax to the Nov. 8 ballot Tuesday, after they approved several steps to beef up enforcement against marijuana-related violations of zoning and development regulations. "This commission has said we want teeth in this, so let's put some teeth into it," Commissioner Tootie Smith said. [continues 643 words]
Deschutes County commissioners may take the first step toward approval of the rules governing the growing, processing and sales of marijuana in the unincorporated county today. The move would put them on track to adopt county code changes in early June. It's the right thing to do. Marijuana use, both recreational and medical, is now legal in the state of Oregon and that should mean it's also legal to produce the stuff. What's proposed, meanwhile, strikes a reasonable balance between those who would ban all marijuana production from the county and those who would like to be able to grow, process or sell it anywhere they please. [continues 227 words]
I am very disappointed by the lack of temerity on the part of the Medford City Council by putting it out to vote on the growing of marijuana in the city limits. I feel the council has been swayed by the minority protestors. Until you have lived next to a pot grow and had to share the skunk like odors you won't know how unpleasant it can be. Also if it is allowed, what will the city do if a neighbor files a complaint? And will there be any law on how far away from a school a pot grow can be established. These are questions voters should know the answers to before voting. Chuck Gates Medford [end]
MEDFORD, Ore. - Only a handful of medical marijuana growers have applied for Jackson County permits to keep growing on rural residential land - even though growers without permits face fines of up to $10,000 and orders to remove their plants. Most are flying under the radar, hoping to avoid detection rather than pay the $1,563 permit application fee, the Mail Tribune reported. Jackson County has received only seven applications from growers hoping to be grandfathered in by qualifying for a pre-existing, non-conforming use permit. [continues 511 words]
Bend city councilors decided Wednesday to expand the options for marijuana processors in the city of Bend even as they highlighted a problem with city zoning that the community development department hopes to correct this fall. Most of what the council did will bring city code into line with changes in marijuana law passed by the 2016 Legislature. Thus the code no longer defines recreational and medical marijuana separately, either for retail or manufacturing purposes. Councilors also agreed to allow marijuana processing in what are known as mixed employment districts, areas where a variety of businesses and some residential buildings are allowed. [continues 244 words]
Patenting Isn't Easy, But It Can Be Done I CULTIVATED an innovative new strain of weed. Can I patent it? Yes, you probably can. The first weed strain patent was issued last August to a group of California breeders. This raised some eyebrows, and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has since confirmed that it is processing both plant and utility patent applications for individual varieties of cannabis (and also poppy). To acquire a plant patent, your weed strain must simply have a distinct characteristic. To acquire a utility patent, however, it must be new and non-obvious as compared to existing strains. It also must exhibit different characteristics from weed in its natural state. Aside from that, one USPTO spokesperson recently assured a Vice magazine journalist that "there are no special statutory requirements of restrictions applied to marijuana plants." So, there you have it. [continues 365 words]
You Can't Overdose on Pot-But Don't Eat Too Much of It AS MY POT COLUMNIST colleague Vince Sliwoski pointed out in his Ask a Pot Lawyer column last week, early recreational sales for cannabis edibles, extracts, and topicals will begin in Oregon on June 2. The edibles must stay at a low dose of 15 milligrams or less, while edibles sold to medical patients won't have a THC limit, just like at present. Why the difference between recreational and medical users? [continues 660 words]
Marijuana Production, Growing And Extraction Could Be Permitted In Makers District Marijuana dispensaries may soon be treated more like other businesses in Bend. The Bend City Council discussed a number of changes Wednesday night that may affect marijuana businesses. Council members read a few potential amendments to the Bend development code and the city code that relate to marijuana businesses and approved the first reading of those amendments. Back in December, the council adopted regulations for marijuana businesses. State Senate Bill 1511 was later adopted in February. The bill allows recreational marijuana licensees to register with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to produce, process, transfer or sell marijuana for medical purposes too. [continues 589 words]
The Deschutes County Commission has agreed to repeal the ban prohibiting recreational and medical marijuana businesses from operating in unincorporated parts of the county. It hasn't been an easy decision for the commissioners. It shouldn't be an easy decision given the complexities involved. But it was the right decision. The commissioners put the ban in place after becoming concerned about having adequate rules in place to regulate the crop. It was a temporary opt-out of the state rules allowing marijuana businesses. It did not stop medical marijuana grows or recreational use of pot. [continues 187 words]
Shayne Christen is a man of few words. Asked what he would do about economic development, if he were elected to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners, he replied, "We need to do something about more jobs. There's a lot of possibilities." Asked about what he would do about the county's public safety funding problem, he replied, "We've got to generate some more funds for that. It's going to take teamwork to find out where those funds are going to come from." [continues 365 words]
Legalization of marijuana in Oregon has created at least 2,165 jobs and will add more as the market matures, a new report suggests. Nearly $46 million in payroll will be paid to retail cannabis employees statewide in 2016, according to the "Oregon Cannabis Jobs Report," sponsored by cannabis industry consulting firms New Economy Consulting and Whitney Economics. By comparison, Oregon's beer, wine and liquor sector employed 1,450 people and paid $28 million in wages in 2015, according to Employment Department data. [continues 207 words]
For the past 10 to 15 years, every time a medical marijuana grower was raided, a spokesperson for the marijuana lobby would get in front of a camera or give a statement to a reporter saying words to the effect of "patients will suffer," or "where will my patients get their medicine?" The message discipline of the lobby was and continues to be highly effective. How could any caring person deny a patient their medicine? So, it was nothing short of miraculous on Jan. 1, 2015, when personal possession of marijuana became legal, that suddenly enough marijuana became available for massive free marijuana giveaways in several locations throughout the valley. [continues 586 words]
Neighbors Upset About Odors, Noise, Traffic With the start of the outdoor marijuana growing season, Jackson County officials are gearing up for complaints from neighbors upset about nearby grows. Last summer, neighbors complained about skunk-like odors from maturing marijuana plants, barking and aggressive guard dogs, people camping out to guard and tend crops, traffic, guns and noise. Although most marijuana plants are still small or haven't been transplanted outdoors yet this season, the county is already fielding complaints. "What we've experienced so far is people had neighbors growing last year. They're calling now to complain when the neighbors are not doing anything," said Jackson County Development Services Director Kelly Madding. [continues 1158 words]
Only a handful of medical marijuana growers have applied for Jackson County permits to keep growing on rural residential land - even though growers without permits face fines of up to $10,000 and orders to remove their plants. Most are flying under the radar, hoping to avoid detection rather than pay the $1,563 permit application fee. Jackson County has received only seven applications from growers hoping to be grandfathered in by qualifying for a pre-existing, non-conforming use permit. [continues 1117 words]
Clay Bearnson Believed to Be the First City Councilor in the State to Own Pot Shop A member of the Medford City Council, known for its tough stance on legalized marijuana, has opened his own dispensary. Clay Bearnson is believed to be the first city councilor in Oregon to own a cannabis dispensary, though that could not be immediately confirmed by the Oregon Health Authority. "That feels pretty cool," Bearnson said. Bearnson and five partners opened Oregon Farmacy at 1 W. Sixth St., Suite 104, in the Acme Building facing Evergreen Way, about two weeks ago. A grand opening is planned later. [continues 446 words]
What Last Week's Investor Pitch Forum Was Like LET'S PRETEND that you're operating or want to start a cannabis business. Maybe you want to grow, make edibles or concentrates, start or expand a dispensary, or produce ancillary products like rolling papers and vaporizers. Where do you get the funding? You can't get approved for a standard bank account if you're involved in the weed industry. So unless you own a scary clown mask and starter pistol, or have a wealthy elderly relative with a serious heart condition, your options are limited. [continues 609 words]
Here's What You Need to Know About the New Rules for Edibles, Topicals, and Concentrates I HEARD we all get to buy cannabis edibles soon. How does this work? Mark your calendar for Thursday, June 2. Those who are 21 and over will be able to buy edibles-and extracts and topicals, too. You may recall that a few months back, the Oregon Legislature passed an "emergency" raft of weed bills. One of them authorized expansion of the early-start program, under which regular joes have bought flower and plants at medical marijuana dispensaries since last October. Because the early-start program was successful, and because the Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) regulatory infrastructure was close to built out, the legislature said "sure." [continues 387 words]
The recreational marijuana market in Oregon will grow beyond flower, into edibles and extracts, in less than a month. Starting June 2, medical marijuana dispensaries registered with the Oregon Health Authority will be able to sell low-dose edibles containing no more than 15 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, and extracts with 1,000 milligrams of THC or less to recreational customers. Currently, only people with -Oregon - -Medical Marijuana -Program cards are able to purchase -edibles and extracts. [continues 291 words]
Cannabis Helps with PTSD, and So Can You I'M A BIG SUPPORTER of allowing armed forces veterans access to cannabis-seeing as how I'm a huge wussy who wouldn't have made it through three hours of basic training, much less full-on combat. I have enough trouble fighting off a cold. Recently it seems hell may have frozen over, as the Drug Enforcement Administration has authorized a study to see how the use of smoking cannabis can treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's the first clinical study on PTSD to use cannabis in its raw, smokeable form. [continues 592 words]
Jackson County Company Among First Eight Licensees A Jackson County company is among the first eight businesses statewide to receive a coveted recreational marijuana growing license from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. The OLCC this week announced the first recipients, which include Southern Oregon Cannabis Co. LLC., located off East Evans Creek Road north of Rogue River. "It is very exciting for sure," said owner Devin Ellis. He said about a dozen family members and friends are working for the company. After receiving the license, they planted marijuana seeds, which are beginning to sprout. [continues 502 words]
The federal government says it's reviewing marijuana's status as a Schedule 1 drug, a move that - regardless of what you think about the drug - is long overdue. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency made the announcement in a memo to lawmakers and said it hopes to have a decision ready sometime in the first half of this year. Marijuana has long been classified as a Schedule 1 drug, but the classification is as ludicrous today as it was back in the day. The Schedule 1 category is for substances which are not considered to have "any currently accepted medical use in the U.S., a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision and a high potential for abuse." By point of comparison, heroin also is a Schedule 1 drug. [continues 425 words]
What's It Like to Live with a Weed Columnist? OUR CANNABUZZ COLUMNIST had a rough week, starting with overconsumption on 4/20, followed by the loss of our greatest Granddaddy Purple, Prince. As Josh Jardine gets his head together, man, we bring in a special guest columnist-his long-suffering girlfriend. Wishing to remain anonymous (for myriad easy-to-understand reasons), let's refer to her as "C." As my boyfriend recovers from his newest self-designed 4/20 challenge, AKA "How Many Marijuana Gummies Can I Fit in My Mouth at One Time?" (Answer: 28, and also, why babe? Why?), I've been asked to take over this week's column. [continues 609 words]
The marijuana legalization question on the ballots in about a dozen states this fall may be a simple yes or no proposition. But today's conversation about marijuana is more complicated than you'd think, especially compared to the mostly one-sided debates of the war-on-drugs era. The campaigns in Massachusetts are already heating up. The proponents, a local affiliate of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, have been at it for a year, collecting signatures and building a base of support. The opposition opened its campaign this month, with Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh taking the lead and a new group, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, is backing them up. [continues 749 words]
Growers Have Inquired About Putting In Structures For Raising Marijuana At The Park The city of La Pine is attempting to refine its zoning ordinance to allow for indoor agriculture on industrial land in anticipation of marijuana being grown there. The La Pine Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing Tuesday at City Hall to consider a text amendment that would allow indoor agriculture within the city's industrial zone. The zoning ordinance change would also require growing to be done inside a permitted building instead of in a trailer or "hoop house," a structure with metal or plastic hoops covered by plastic. [continues 294 words]
The Eugene Home Science Club, which is more than 100 years old, has about two dozen members these days. All the women are age 60 or older. And for a recent meeting, their guest speaker was a state specialist in marijuana. As The Register-Guard reported, "With the advent first of medical marijuana, and last year of legal recreational marijuana, residents of all ages are curious about the intoxicating buds that rapidly are becoming big business." Only the federal government seems to be clueless about the big business of marijuana in Oregon and elsewhere. The feds still classify marijuana not only as an illegal drug but as one of the most dangerous. [continues 333 words]
The Effects of Marijuana Legalization Are Just Starting to Be Realized Marijuana became legal in Oregon only recently, but its legacy in Oregon has deep roots. Marijuana's long road to legalization culminated in Ballot Measure 91, passed by voters in 2014. Now anyone 21 and older can possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana and grow up to four plants. Most medical marijuana dispensaries in the county have also begun selling recreational marijuana. In 1998, Oregon voters approved medical marijuana under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, opening the floodgates to pot production, particularly in Southern Oregon because of its long growing season. [continues 821 words]
The recent news about a looming controversy regarding medical marijuana and an experimental epilepsy drug raises intriguing questions - but, in the long run, likely will be seen as a footnote on the road to more widespread legalization. At issue in the recent case is an experimental drug, Epidiolex, which is made from cannabis plants grown in England. The drug is a nearly pure extract of cannabidiol, or CBD. It has little of the substance in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), that produces the traditional pot high. A researcher in Columbus, Ohio, says that Epidiolex has shown great promise in treating seizures, especially among children. And, the researcher notes, studies have suggested that children can be hurt by using the whole marijuana plant. [continues 482 words]
Richard Nixon's war on drugs, announced in June 1971, had one purpose and one purpose only: to create a tool to harass, persecute and incarcerate the hippies and blacks who were protesting the Vietnam War, according to an article in the current Harper's magazine. Nixon's closest adviser, John Ehrlichman, and the president concocted this hoax for purely political reasons! Two men lied and a million died. Marijuana was at the heart of the war on drugs, and it was classified as a Schedule I drug, one that had no medical use and was highly addictive, both lies. The justification for the prohibition of marijuana has been destroyed; Obama should immediately declare the "war" over; our jails should be emptied of nonviolent drug offenders, and some reparations should be considered for the victims of Nixon's horrendous crime. I am amazed that the Ehrlichman revelation was not on the front page of every newspaper in the world. Louis Philippe Goldman Ashland [end]
WHO LIKES POT NEWS? We like pot news! Come get some pot news before it gets cold... DEA to Reschedule Cannabis... Maybe-Do you need another reason to love Elizabeth Warren? Okay, here's one. Because of a letter the Massachusetts senator wrote in July 2015 asking the government to "facilitate scientific research on the potential health benefits of marijuana"-which was signed by not one but two Oregon senators, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden-the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced they will decide by July if they plan to reschedule cannabis. The government has five different designated categories, or schedules, of drugs, and cannabis has always been listed as a Schedule I drug along with heroin and LSD, all of which are considered as having "no currently accepted medical use" and a "high potential for abuse." This current designation for weed has about as much credibility as a 1981 Afterschool Special called Timmy Shot Up Some Marijuana, Turned Gay, and Died. [continues 596 words]
I would like to know why Medford Councilor Clay Bearnson is allowed to vote on all the decisions regarding the marijuana issues in the city. He has openly stated he is an active participant in the growing of marijuana and has applied for a license to sell medical marijuana. Why is this not a conflict of interest? He should recuse himself on all marijuana issues. - - A. Williams, Medford We've been asked about this issue quite a bit over the past year. Bearnson has repeatedly said he plans to open a medical marijuana dispensary in the city, and he said recently that he plans to open the dispensary in downtown Medford sometime in April. He has also said he's checked with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and has been told that he can still vote on matters related to marijuana. [continues 134 words]
Some Very, Very Stupid Ideas I HAVE BRUISES on my face this week. (No, not from Fight Club, which I really shouldn't even be talking about.) These bruises are from slapping my forehead repeatedly as I read what's up in the world of weed. Much as I have trouble comprehending anyone voting for a micro-fingered, angry tangerine wigman, I cannot grasp the logic behind some of the proposals that are happening in Colorado. In the Centennial State, a (surprise!) Republican state representative has proposed a ballot initiative and amendment to a bill that would limit potency of "marijuana and marijuana products" to 15 or 16 percent. As a frame of reference, a Colorado Department of Revenue study states that the average potency for flower is 17.1 percent THC, and 62.1 percent for extracts. [continues 575 words]
Inside Oregon
