Is it time for Oregon to legalize marijuana?

Posted on April 17, 2014

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

Let’s be blunt – Oregon might just be the next state where you can toke without fear of getting busted. In 2012, Washington and Colorado legalized cannabis while our own legalization effort, Measure 80, failed with 46.75 percent of Oregon voters saying yes and 53.25 percent claiming nay — a measly 6.5 percent point difference.

Believe it or not, weed is widely used all over the state whether it’s by folks holding medical marijuana cards or teenagers lighting up in their parents’ basements. Regardless of whether you’re for or against legalization, there seems to be a common theme on the University of Oregon campus — it’s high time the Beaver State greets the green stuff.

Senior computer science major Will Cleary thinks that weed lacks any sort of taboo status among UO students and the city they inhabit.

“As students, I think we’re pretty open to it,” Cleary said. “As a whole community, marijuana is pretty accepted throughout Eugene. I don’t think too much would change (if it was legalized), maybe people being a little more open to smoking.”

Senior Asian studies major Leah Long agrees. She thinks that weed should be legalized.

“Incriminating people for smoking weed is a waste of money and resources. Charging them and ruining their whole life? For what?” Long said. ‘To use the propaganda ‘(marijuana) will ruin your entire life…’ That’s ridiculous. I really don’t see any major changes happening if it does get legalized, because so many do it anyway.”

Either way, 2014 could be Oregon’s year. Here’s what’s on the agenda:

There are two pro-legalization groups that have been working tirelessly toward legalizing and submitted three separate initiatives. Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2014 and New Approach Oregon are the two groups fighting to legalize the green.

Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2014 — that’s the name of the group, not the initiative to legalize — is led by Paul Stanford. The group is advocating initiatives 21 and 22. Initiative 21 is a constitutional amendment to end prohibition and criminal penalties for marijuana.

“It’s just those two sentences saying that they can regulate it for public safety and people can’t be arrested and put in jail for cannabis anymore,” Stanford said. “Right now we’re up to about 40,000 signatures on Initiative 21 and we need 172,200 valid registered Oregon signatures to qualify.”

Initiative 22, a revised version of 2012’s failed Measure 80, plans to achieve success through a few changes to the law. First, it sets a limit on the amount an individual can grow (a maximum of 24 plants and 24 ounces). Secondly, Gov. Kitzhaber will appoint the four individuals to the state’s cannabis commission rather than relying on officials elected by new licensed holders.

With nearly 28,000 signatures already, Initiative 22 needs a total of 87,200 voter signatures to make November’s ballot.

Fighting alongside the Cannabis Tax Act for legalization is New Approach Oregon, led by Anthony Johnson. New Approach is presenting legalization to Oregon voters with Initiative 53.

“We just started and we have a few volunteer signatures at this time,” Johnson said. “We are working with both local and national partners to decide exactly how we’re going to move forward and we still need nearly 88,000 valid signatures necessary to make the ballot.”

New Approach Oregon aims to regulate, tax and legalize use of marijuana for adults over 21. Industrial hemp would also remain regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

Johnson believes that this approach will establish the strict regulation necessary to control cannabis commerce.

“I support any measure that improves upon the status quo,” Johnson said. “Though I believe the New Approach measure is best capable remaining at the ballot box.“

Sam Chapman — a 2012 UO alumnus and co-author of the successful House Bill 3460, which allowed for medical marijuana to be regulated for dispensaries — agrees.

“(New Approach) is, in my opinion, the far more professional, well-run, well-funded initiative that has the best shot at making it on the Oregon ballot this year,” Chapman said.

In order for either proposal to be considered, each group needs to collect the required signatures by July 3 for consideration on the November ballot.

Not only is cannabis legalization hot in Oregon right now, but pro-legalization efforts and the weed conversation have sparked across the nation. Earl Blumenauer, U.S. representative from Oregon’s 3rd District, strongly believes that Oregon could be next to legalize.

“If the bill is a solid and tight proposal like Colorado or Washington had, I think the odds are very strong that it will pass,” Blumenauer said.

The two states have legalized for recreational adult use while 20 have approved for medical use. Blumenauer believes that cannabis should be re-classified from its standing as a “schedule one” drug. That means it’s considered equally as harmful as heroin and worse than cocaine and meth.

Nigel Wrangham, a UO substance abuse professor, thinks that legalization is inevitable despite some residual negative opinion.

“You have to think about all of the politics behind it, the older generation in this country and the republican party — there’s still a big demographic of people who think smoking is wrong,” Wrangham said. “The stigmas attached, stoners and dirty hippies… Don’t get me wrong I’m not against it. I do think Oregon could pass this year based on gut feeling and casual conversation with people. But remember, opposition is powerful too.”

From the Cannabis Tax Act to New Approach Oregon, Blumenauer says this widespread movement has been forcefully evolving, particularly over the last two years.

“There’s an amazing shift taking place with medical marijuana,” Blumenauer said. “Florida is going to be the first southern state to vote to legalize medical marijuana. Almost 700,000 signatures were turned in and the polls look very strong.”

Blumenauer also notes activity in states such as Rhode Island, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Arizona, Nevada and California.

Oregon was the first state to decriminalize possessing small amounts of marijuana in 1973 and the second to authorize medical marijuana use. Although votes with Measure 80 in 2012 were close, perhaps this is the year that weed gets the green light.

“People will be watching very closely at what Oregon does. Oregon is going to help set the national tone, this national momentum of public opinion, national research and pressure to make the federal policy more rational,” Blumenauer said. “I’m trying to push for this national program and be a resource for people in Oregon trying to change it.”

Want more weed? Here are other Emerald stories about the green.

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Let’s clear the smoke an introduction to the Emerald’s weed issue

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