With the expansion of marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington, and the possibility of legalization in Oregon with the November ballot, new businesses have started to emerge in order to supply the new demand.

New Economy Consulting is one of these businesses.

Geoff Sugerman and University of Orgon alumni Sam Chapman created the consulting company after they worked to lobby for House Bill 3460 in 2013.

“We knew if 3460 passed there would be a great demand for consulting,” Chapman said.

New Economy Consulting works primarily as a consulting company for individuals wanting to open medical marijuana dispensaries. Chapman and Sugerman’s prior knowledge of HB 3460 – a house bill implemented in March 2014 which regulated the sale of medical marijuana within the state – gives the company a “competitive advantage,” Chapman said.

The company takes clients through the process of opening a medical dispensary, in making sure they are complying properly with laws and getting the appropriate licenses.

They also identify viable real estate in different cities and lobby locally in cities too.

The local lobbying is performed within cities like Beaverton, Oregon, a city Chapman was “very impressed with” after working with their city council. Even though the state has regulations on medical marijuana, many cities within the state have put moratoriums on the policies, in order to place their own policies on things like zoning.

“(HB 3460) has been met with a lot of resistance due to a lack of education,” Chapman said.

Oregon has had a lot less time to adjust to the change in the marijuana policy than places like Colorado. After Colorado passed its medical marijuana dispensary regulation, it had three years to adjust before recreational cannabis was instituted.

If Ballot Measure 91 passes on Nov. 4, Oregon will have one and a half years to adjust.

Ballot Measure 91 would make the purchase and possession of eight ounces of marijuana and four plants legal for individuals over the age of 21.

Chapman thinks the measure will pass, but by a small margin.

“The measure takes a pragmatic approach and appeals to both soccer moms and grandparents,” Chapman said. “It keeps (marijuana) out of children’s hands better than the current prohibition.”

UO senior Noelle Jones agrees that the measure passing will help control cannabis in Oregon.

“Partial or medical-only legalization will cause more problems with enforcement and illegal growing, while full legalization will allow people to do what they want, cut back on drug trade across borders and create revenue for the states,” Jones said.

Chapman also asserts that legalization of recreational use will go better in Oregon than it has gone in Colorado and Washington.

“We have all of the best things from both states and none of the negative,” Chapman said.

The measure only allows the state to tax cannabis meaning the state “won’t have overburdens of taxes like Washington has,” Chapman said.

Former UO graduate student and current resident in Colorado, Michael Butler spoke to the Emerald in a previous interview when recreational use was beginning legally in Colorado.

“In terms of legalization in Colorado, I think it’s a step in the right direction. The only real way we stand a chance of getting the federal ban repealed is to have the states fall in line one by one,” Butler said.

The demand for the services of New Economy Consulting continues to grow and is expected to continue to do so if the measure passes.

“For every client we take on, we are denying five,” Chapman said. “If 91 passes demand will go through the roof.”

New Economy Consulting carefully selects its clients. New Economy Consulting looks for professional companies that want to be good neighbors and give back to its communities and values, which are important to Chapman and Sugerman.

New Economy Consulting is also currently keeping its eyes open for interns to aid in its research for viable real estate and policies.

Follow Jeniffer Fleck on Twitter @jenniferfleck

Measure 86 Oregon Fund for Post Secondary Education

If it passes: An amendment to the state constitution would be created to institute a state fund to provide financial aid for students at universities and trade schools. The amendment would allow the state legislature to issue bonds, use general fund dollars and collect private donations for the fund. Oregon will become the first state to have a continual fund provided for students in higher education. Critics say that the bill could lead to high taxpayer bills and does not address the real problem with higher education affordability.

Why you should care: This measure was first proposed by State Treasurer Tom Wheeler as a solution to combat the rising cost of college tuition, and its passage could lead to more financial aid for students.

Measure 87 Oregon Hiring of State Judges by National Guard and State University

If it passes: An amendment would be made to the state constitution allowing judges in the state of Oregon to receive employment in the National Guard in military positions and state universities in teaching positions. School employees would also be allowed to serve in State Legislature.

Why you should care: If passed, judges would be granted the opportunity to teach in a public university setting.

Measure 88 Oregon Alternative Driver Licenses Referendum

If it passes: Driver cards would become available to Oregon residents who do not have proof of citizenship within the United States. In order to get driver cards, individuals have to be a resident of Oregon for over a year, have valid identification and proof of date of birth. The card cannot be used for air travel, federal building entry, registration to vote or access to government benefits. Supporters say the bill will lead to safer roads by reducing the number of unlicensed drivers, while opponents say that illegal immigrants should not be given licenses.

Why you should care: It alters the state of drivers and roads in your home state.

Measure 89 Oregon Equal Rights for Women Initiative

If it passes: An amendment would be made to the state constitution which would prevent any state or political subdivision based on sex. It would also grant the legislative assembly power to enforce the amendment. Supporters say that equal rights for women should be written into Oregon’s constitution, while critics say that the measure is unnecessary because of an Oregon Supreme Court Ruling that already provides strong protection against gender discrimination.

Why you should care: Equal rights is an important issue.

Measure 90 Oregon Open Primary Initiative

If it passes: Individuals in Oregon registered to vote as independents would be granted the right to vote in primary elections. Instead, there will be an open primary with members from all parties, and the top two candidates will be put on the ballot. Supporters say that the measure will give minor party members more of a voice in elections. Opponents say that the measure will actually shut out minor parties because parties not represented by the top two candidates will not be runners in the general election.

Why you should care: 40 percent of independent voters are under the age of 40 in Oregon.

Measure 91 Oregon Legalized Marijuana Initiative

If it passes: Recreational marijuana use will become legal for individuals over the age of 21. Possession of eight ounces of dried marijuana as well as 4 plants will become legal as well. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission would regulate drug sales. Licensing, regulation and taxation by state will come into play as well. The current medical marijuana laws will remain intact. Supporters say that Oregon needs more regulation of its marijuana industry, and its current system leads to profit for the black market, and marijuana arrests take police attention that could be otherwise focused on more serious crimes. Opponents say the measure does not have enough restrictions on intoxicated driving, THC levels and advertising that could be targeted to children.

Why you should care: If the measure passes, the state of Oregon will be the third state to legalize the possession of marijuana.

Measure 92 Oregon Mandatory Labeling of GMO Initiative

If it passes: The labeling of certain foodstuffs that are produced with or have genetically modified organisms will become mandatory as of January 2016. It will apply to retailers, suppliers and manufacturers. Supporters say that the measure would inform consumers what is in their food, and they have the right to know for environmental, cultural and health reasons. Opponents say that the labels will be misleading because 70 percent of foods are genetically engineered and there is no proven nutritional difference. They also say that requiring labels will increase the cost of food.

Why you should care: It directly effects the food you consume within the state.

A survey of University of Oregon students has revealed that students in fraternities and sororities experience a greater amount of sexual assault than students who are not.

The study, contained in the UO Sexual Violence and Institutional Behavior Campus Survey, revealed that 48.1 percent of females and 23.6 percent of males in Fraternity and Sorority Life have experienced non-consensual sexual contact. Females not in FSL reported 33.1 percent, and male 7.9 percent.

Thirty-eight percent of females in the FSLwere found to have experienced attempted or completed rape. None of the males in FSL have. Approximately 15 percent of females and .8 percent of males who do not participate in FSL on campus have experienced rape.

The survey was conducted by Jennifer Freyd, a UO psychology professor and sexual violence expert whose work has been featured during White House discussions about sexual assault. UO graduate students Marina Rosenthal and Carly Smith also helped conduct the study as part of a larger survey done in August and September to discover the rates of sexual assault on the university campus.

The survey includes data from over 1,000 randomly chosen undergraduate students at UO.

Freyd presented her preliminary data to the University Senate’s sexual assault task force at the beginning of October. The task force is reviewing the university’s current sexual assault policies and making recommendations for improvement.

Follow Jennifer Fleck on Twitter: @jenniferfleck

Three candidates for Oregon’s fourth congressional district — Democrat incumbent Peter DeFazio, Republican Art Robinson and Pacific Green candidate Michael Beilstein — met for a debate at the University of Oregon’s William H. Knight Law Center Wednesday evening.

The hour-long debate, moderated by Tripp Sommer, was co-sponsored by the City Club of Eugene and the League of Women Voters of Lane County and broadcast live by KLCC. The debate was also attended by students from South Eugene High School.

Sommer directed questions and fielded audience inquiries to the candidates on a variety of topics including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), student debt and the National Security Agency.

On the topic of student debt, each candidate had a different solution.

“The real problem is the cost,” Robinson said when discussing how he thinks the solution lies in lowering tuition prices.

DeFazio thinks the answer for student debt is within interest rates on student loans. “What’s a better investment in out future?” DeFazio said. “Young people…or Wall Street?”

Beilstein response to student debt was, “We need to eliminate this concept of tuition.”

Candidates also got the opportunity to address questions to one another. Robinson asked DeFazio about his track record regarding public education. DeFazio in turn questioned Robinson about his pro-life stance.

The debate was heated.

Robinson answered accusations from DeFazio regarding his alleged opposition of public schooling with the statement, “You stop lying about me, and I’ll stop telling the truth about you.”

Each of their concluding statements provided insight into each candidate.

“If I go to congress I wouldn’t stay more than four years,” Robinson said. “We need to get rid of career politicians.”

“If you believe maintaining capitalism is more important than maintaining the human race, then don’t vote for me,” Beilstein said.

“You may not agree with me, but you know where I stand on these issues all the time,” DeFazio said.

Election day is Nov. 4.

On Oct. 15, three of the candidates for Oregon Congress are going up against one another in a debate.

The debate will take place at the University of Oregon Law School in Room 175 at 7 p.m. The candidates speaking are Art Robinson, Peter DeFazio and Michael Beilstein. The event is only available to those with tickets, but will be broadcast live by KLCC and live tweeted by the Emerald.

The broadcast is set to conclude at 8 p.m.

The debate is co-sponsored and organized by the City Club of Eugene and the League of Women Voters of Lane County. Tripp Sommer, KLCC News Director, will Moderate.

The doors will open for the event at 6:15 p.m and close at 6:45 p.m.

Candidates will draw numbers to determine the order and then have two minutes for opening statements. They will then take questions from the moderator and later from their opposing candidates and the audience.

As election day approaches, marijuana legalization in Oregon will once again be put on the ballot.

Measure 91 would legalize the sale of marijuana to individuals over the age of 21 and allow them to have up to eight ounces of the substance.

On the November 2012 ballot, Measure 80 failed to pass. The failed measure would have allowed personal cultivation without a license. The measure would have also created a commission to regulate the sale of marijuana commercially.

Sam Chapman is a University of Oregon graduate who co-wrote House Bill 3460, which is meant to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon.

Chapman said Measure 80 failed because it allowed unlimited growth of marijuana, and gave children the ability to purchase cannabis seeds.

House Bill 3460 went into effect on Mar. 3.

The bill, signed by Governor John Kitzhaber, formed a registration system for medical marijuana facilities and implemented registration systems that monitor and authorize marijuana plant transfer.

Before Colorado legalized marijuana, it had a similar bill passed in 2010, HB 10-1284.

HB 3460 is similar to HB 10-128, and when HB 3460 went into effect, some facilities shut down because of a requirement stating that dispensaries cannot be located within 1,000 feet of schools.

The current ballot measure has an imposed tax. The tax is $35 per ounce on all marijuana flowers, $10 per ounce on all marijuana leaves and $5 per immature marijuana plant. Immature plants are defined in the measure as a plant with no buds or flowers.

This proposed measure has exclusivity to tax marijuana, meaning neither counties or cities in Oregon would be allowed to impose a specific tax. It would also grant responsibilities to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, such as the ability to limit quantities sold to prevent illegal resale.

If passed, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission would be in charge of distributing licenses to marijuana distributors.

Such licenses include those used for production, processing, wholesale and retail of the plant.

Oregon could become the third state in the United States to legalize recreational marijuana if this measure passes.

Colorado blazed the trail, legalizing with the first of the year and soon followed by Washington.

To give some idea of where Oregonians will fall in November, the City Club of Portland had its 1,900 members complete online ballots on five of the measures on the November ballot, including marijuana legalization.

Measure 91 passed by 83 percent.

The only other measure assessed that passed with a higher margin was Measure 88, which would provide driver cards for undocumented residents. It passed within the City Club by a total of 95 percent.

“We hope to help inform the debate about these important measures that could reshape our state,” City Club President Karen Kervin said.

Follow Jennifer Fleck on Twitter @jenniferfleck

As November approaches, political campaigns are coming about in full swing and there have been a few hiccups in the race for the Senate seat.

Some troubles have come from republican candidate Dr. Monica Wehby’s campaign and accusations of plagiarism have been linked to some of the plans previously posted to her website.

Current Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Randall Children’s Hospital Monica Wehby are running against one another.

Merkley was first elected as a democrat to the Oregon Senate in 2008.

Merkley is centering his campaign on focusing on issues such as education, health care, climate change, veterans, women and families, foreign policies and LGBT equality, among others. Merkley is also working on co-sponsoring a bill with Massachusetts’ Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren in order to help college students refinance student loans while the rates remain low.

Wehby’s campaign focuses on term limits, the second amendment, health care, veterans, budget, education and natural resources – just to name a few.

On Sept. 16, BuzzFeed published a story on the discovery of extreme similarities between the health plan Wehby previously held on her website and the health plan from Karl Rove’s Group Survey, American Crossroads.

The article shed light on these similarities as a line from Crossroads regarding the purchasing of health care across state lines:

“Allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines to increase the number of options in the market place.”

A line from Wehby’s plan on the same subject:

“Allow people to purchase health insurance across state lines to increase the number of options in the market place.”

The following day, BuzzFeed posted another article that showed the similarities between her economic plan and the plans of Republican Senator Rob Portman, a 2012 congressional candidate, as well as Gary DeLong and the Crossroads group of Karl Rove where Wehby has previously taken her health care plan. The offending pages were then taken down from Wehby’s site.

Wehby later released a statement to the Associated Press about the discrepancies, stating, “The concepts and ideas are my concepts and ideas that I agree with. But as far as wording goes, I had no idea that the same wording had been used elsewhere until all this happened. So we took it down.”

Merkley’s campaign spokeswoman, Lindsey O’Brien, addressed the problems in Wehby’s campaign and released a statement on Sept. 18.

“The Wehby campaign is simultaneously claiming Wehby is a health policy expert, but hadn’t read her own health care or economic plans until yesterday,” said O’Brien. “That’s ridiculous. Monica Wehby bears full responsibility.”

In addition, Merkley’s campaign manager, Alex Youn, released a statement that said, “That’s not shoddy staff work — it’s what Wehby believes and who she wants to represent.”

The general election date for Oregon is Nov. 4.

Follow Jennifer Fleck on Twitter @jenniferfleck

Sexual assault is a constant topic in the life of a college student. From our own interim president at the University of Oregon to the President of the United States, officials continue to create programs in an attempt to prevent sexual assaults that one in four college women experience during her college career.

Last spring, former UO President Michael Gottfredson assembled a sexual assault task force within the UO senate following the sexual assault allegations against three UO men’s basketball players.

Recommendations received by the task force led to UO Intern President Scott Coltrane announcing that the university will establish a $15,000 discretionary fund to support survivors and prevent assault. The task force has also proposed the institution of a good Samaritan policy. In effect, this policy would prevent reporters of sexual assault from being charged with drug or alcohol violations and the UOPD from tracking the IP addresses of anonymous reporters.

On Oct. 22, the final report of the task force will be presented at the University senate meeting.

On Sept. 19, President Obama and Vice President Biden launched their It’s On Us campaign with the intent to prevent sexual assault.

“To the survivors who are leading the fight against sexual assault on campuses, your efforts have helped start a movement,” President Obama said during the program’s presentation. “I can only imagine how long and lonely your fight must feel. And that’s why we’re all here today: To say it’s not on you. It’s not your fight to wage alone. It’s on us, all of us, to fight campus sexual assault. You are not alone. We’ve got your back.”

A total of 223 campuses across the country have joined It’s On Us.

A number of larger companies and celebrities are also involved in the program like the NCAA, Electronic Arts, College Humor, Pac-12, Tumblr and Viacom, including VH1, MTV, BET, CMT and Spike.

A PSA was released to YouTube upon which President Obama and Vice President Biden made appearances along with Jon Hamm, Kerry Washington, Joel McHale and many other celebrities.

According to the White House fact sheet about the program, It’s On Us focuses on complementing efforts schools are currently taking.

The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, established Jan. 2014, is looking to see how the recommendations translate into education in K-12 schools.

The Department of Education continues to work with schools at all levels in order to improve sexual assault response.

A crucial point of the program is to appeal to collegiate men and encourage them to speak out and report they witness sexual assault.

The program also includes a petition which can be signed on the It’s On Us website at itsonus.org

Follow Jennifer Fleck on Twitter @jenniferfleck

At the end of May, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill involving water infrastructure and job creation. The bill holds increased funding for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The fund provides money for small ports in Oregon.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley added several provision with Oregon communities specifically in mind.

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, a new program, written by Merkley is also included in the bill. Merkley wrote the act in order to help communities finance safe drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects.

The act was introduced by Merkley in 2012 in the WRDA bill, which passed in 2013. the WRDA bill began a five-year pilot program allowing the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency to provide loans and loan guarantees for flood control, water supply and other water infrastructure projects.

“The best thing we can do right now is to make needed investments in our infrastructure that help create middle class jobs,” Merkley said. “This bill creates jobs by funding critically needed dredging in our coastal ports. In addition, this bill contains my program for financing much-needed water projects across America”

Also in the bill is a “Buy America” provision. This provision ensures that taxes go to aid jobs in water infrastructure projects which are funded by the WIFIA. This provision allows more communities to perform needed construction maintenance and repairs with out charging local ratepayers.

“If we don’t make things in America, we won’t have a middle class in America,” Merkley said. “Today’s bipartisan vote is a huge victory for the principle that American tax dollars should support American jobs.”

Cigarette butts litter Pioneer Cemetery and the edge of campus. Groups of students and staff are constantly finding new places to smoke, yet the University of Oregon is coming up on its second year anniversary of being a tobacco-free campus.

Can the university boast being tobacco free?

University Health Center Director of Health Promotion Paula Staight said she doesn’t have specific data regarding the decrease of smoking on campus, but has seen frequency of students smoking on campus has decreased.

Staight did recognize the fact that students are still smoking in the campus area.

“There are some hot spots on campus,” Staight said.

In hopes of combating the problem, over the summer the health center plans on coming up with a plan to inform campus of the perimeters of the ban and to increase its enforcement. The exclusion of the use of e-cigarettes as well as cigarettes and other forms of tobacco will be more specifically enforced.

Staight, along with representatives from Oregon State University, presented both universities’ tobacco-free efforts at the 2014 National Health Conference.

“All campuses seem to be dealing with similar issues regarding enforcement and butt litter,” Staight said. “That said, it takes a while for social norms to change and evolve and we are just going on two years out.”

The hope is that a tobacco free campus will lead to less smoking.

“Generally stricter tobacco policy leads to less smoking and higher quit rates,” Staight said.

The Health Center offers many alternatives to aid students who are trying to stop smoking.

Health promotion specialist Renee Mulligan said that about 40 students per term accept the help offered in the form of a nicotine replacement therapy program.

To take part in this program, a student would first visit the Peer Health Office and request the free nicotine replacement therapy.

Then, the student is asked to fill out a personal action plan in addition to a peer health educator going through an intake questionnaire with the student.

At this point, the student is able to collect the product free of charge from the pharmacy.

“Students generally need two to three boxes to quit,” Mulligan said. “So, they are asked to come to the Peer Health office each time to check in.”

The current process for students to receive replacement therapy will remain through the summer, though it is subject to change in the fall.

The tobacco ban on the UO campus started in fall 2012. It came as schools across Oregon and the country have begun looking at and implementing tobacco bans.

The ban at the UO came with a $1 million grant from PacificSource Health Solutions, which has been used to implement a tobacco-free strategy for the first five years. This was part of $4 million donation by PacificSource that also went to Oregon State University for a similar initiative.