The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (OMMA) was passed in 1998, allowing patients with certain "debilitating medical conditions" to use marijuana to alleviate their suffering. As of April 1, there are over 32,000 current patients registered with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). There is currently no supply system for medical marijuana; therefore, patients must grow their own marijuana or designate another person to grow for them. The OMMA specifically requires that "no consideration is paid for transfer" in order to remain in compliance with the law.
An initiative backed by Voter Power currently circulating in Oregon attempts to create a Regulated Medical Marijuana Supply System. This initiative, often referred to as I-28 (Initiative 28), turned in just over 7000 signatures on April 14, bringing the total submitted signatures to 80,543, according to the Oregon Secretary of State. An initiative requires 82,769 valid signatures by July 2 to qualify for the November ballot (approximately 125,000 total signatures to account for invalid and duplicate signatures).
A January press release states:
"I-28 will allow nonprofit dispensaries to sell marijuana to registered patients. Licensed producers will grow the marijuana and sell it to dispensaries. Both dispensaries and producers will be subject to inspection and auditing by the health department. All employees will have to be over 21 years old and pass criminal background checks. Dispensaries can’t be located near schools or in residential areas and must submit security plans with their applications to DHS."
Oregon could be voting on I-28 this November. Polling by Grove Insight showed 59% support for the initiative. The OMMA currently lacks a supply system for patients, but is I-28 the answer Oregon is looking for? If enough signatures are collected by July 2, the November ballot will be the chance for Oregonians to answer.
Read the full text of Initiative 28.
Comments
I-28 is Oregon's best bet to protect and help those on the OMMP.
It will give everyone a way to get the meds they need even the low income.
Check out Oregon Green Free for all your Oregon Medical Marijuana Information.
People have been buying cannabis forever, this is nothing new - and neither are the prices. Go down to the Lloyd Center train stop and you can buy it at the proposed dispensary price. It would be illegal though just to be clear. By law you cannot buy or sell cannabis in Oregon FOR ANY REASON. However OGF will be happy to supply you for a (non voluntary) donation. I28 doesn't address whats really important - patient rights.
Another thought, OGF isn't doing anything wrong by asking for a donation - I am pretty sure all the different groups charge in one way or another for what they do. But isn't that the point? Everyone is out there making a buck of people with low income. They are, everyone, a patient and by law afflicted by a debilitating condition. Doesn't that mean that even if they aren't struggling to make ends meet that they are still not earning their potential? Doesn't that usually entail a host of other medical related costs? Legalize for all adults and the revenue can help Medical Programs, real competition will drive the market price down. Just creating a store for the few allowed to shop there, while there is a very large black market demand just out side of it, is just going to insure problems.
I just do not get it ..well yes i guess i do......what a crook of poo...marijuana causes no one harm------booze causes lots of problems..lost jobs, marriages,livers gone bad----marijuana not a dang thing...but here we sit able to buy booze *hate it* ....that will or could do us harm & there is marijuana illegal....Our good Ole' Usa ....what a load of poo poo!!
Has anyone bothered to check the financesof those trying to keep medical marijauna out of patient's hands to see which pharmasutical companies are backing the effort?
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