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30 – Yes, Count ‘Em - 30 Bills In 2011 Oregon Legislative Session
Involving “Marijuana” Means Lotsa Your Tax Dollars At Waste and Work for
Activists! Like House Bill 3202 which
seeks to gut OMMA on Law Enforcements behalf. Who sez they
don’t make the laws, just enforce them?
Some of the great “crime-stopping” things 3202 will do: · Removes caregivers; Appears to eliminate the caregiver designation altogether · Removes anyone under 18 years of age. · Increases the time since a felony drug conviction until a person may be a designated grower from 5 to 15 years. · Changes the requirement <continued
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Rally For MMJ There will be a Rally (11am)
about and Hearing (1pm) on HB 2982 on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Rally and Hearing on Measure -
Date: Wednesday - February 23 / Time: 11 A.M., Capital Steps, Salem, Oregon. *
Getting to the Capitol > 900 Court Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301 *
Visitor Services Phone: 503-986-1388 * For more information on How to get to
the Capitol, including things like Where to Park. visit: www.leg.state.or.us/capinfo/ And at 1:00 P.M. / Room: 343 - HB 2982 FIRST
PUBLIC HEARING - Requires Oregon Health Authority to deny
application for medical marijuana registry identification card if applicant
has been convicted of felony involving controlled substance. * How to Testify in Front of
Committee is at: www.leg.state.or.us/citizenguide/
* NOTE: You may call your <continued
on page 3 > |
State
lawmakers propose sobriety checkpoints Four former law enforcement
officers in the legislature would like Oregon to resume police checkpoints to
combat drunken driving. They are
Reps, and former Oregon State Police members Andy Olson, R-Albany; Jeff
Barker D-Aloha, Wayne Krieger, R-Gold Beach, and Sherrie Sprenger, R-Scio. House Bill 3133 would allow
police agencies to establish sobriety checkpoints if they follow guidelines established
in 1990 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The purpose,
according to the bill, would be "apprehending persons who are driving
while under the influence of intoxicants." The bill, if passed, would not
take effect unless voters also amended the constitution to add a sentence to
the effect that sobriety checkpoints are not prohibited by the ban on <continued
on last page > |
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* Volume 8, Issue 3 * March * 2011
* www.MercyCenters.org *
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* The MERCY News * |
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_____________________ The MERCY News Report is an
all-volunteer, not-for-profit project to record and broadcast news,
announcements and information about medical cannabis in Oregon, across
America and around the World. For more information about the MERCY News, contact us. Via
Snail Mail: The MERCY
News 1469 Capital
St. NE, Suite 100, Salem, Ore.,
97301 503.363-4588 E-mail: Mercy_Salem@hotmail.com Or
our WWW page: www.MercyCenters.org Check it
out! ___________________________ MERCY On The Tube!
in Salem, Oregon area thru Capital Community
Television, Channel 23. See
us on Wednesdays at 06:30pm, Thursdays at 07:00pm, Fridays at 10:30pm and
Saturdays at 06:00pm. Visit – http://mercycenters.org/tv/ |
About
MERCY – The Medical Cannabis Resource Center MERCY is a non-profit, grass roots organization
founded by patients, their friends and family and other compassionate and
concerned citizens in the area and is dedicated to helping and advocating for
those involved with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP). MERCY is based in the
Salem, Oregon area and staffed on a volunteer basis. The
purpose is to get medicine to patients in the short-term while working with
them to establish their own independent sources. To
this end we provide, among other things, ongoing education to people and
groups organizing clinics and other Patinet Resources, individual physicians
and other healthcare providers about the OMMP, cannabis as medicine and doctor
rights in general. The mission of the organization
is to help people and change the laws. We advocate reasonable, fair and effective
marijuana laws and policies, and strive to educate, register and empower
voters to implement such policies. Our philosophy is one of teaching
people to fish, rather than being dependent upon others. Want to get your Card? Need Medicine Now? Welcome to The Club! MERCY – the Medical Cannabis Resource Center
hosts Mercy Club Meetings every Wednesday at - 1469 Capital
Street NE, Suite #130, Salem, 97301 – from 7pm to 9pm to
help folks get their card, network patients to medicine, assist in finding a
grower or getting to grow themselves, or ways and means to medicate along
other info and resources depending on the issue. visit – www.MercyCenters.org
- or Call 503.363-4588 for more. The Doctor is In ... Salem! * MERCY is Educating Doctors on signing for their
Patients; Referring people to Medical Cannabis Consultations when their
regular care physician won't sign for them; and listing all Clinics around
the state in order to help folks Qualify for the OMMP and otherwise Get their
Cards. For our Referral Doc in Salem,
get your records to – 1469 Capital Street NE, Suite
#100, Salem, 97301 - or, in the Salem-area, fax them to 503-581-1937, NOTE: There is a $25 non-refundable
deposit required. Transportation and
Delivery Services available for those in need. For our Physician Packet to educate your Doctor, or a List of
Clinics around the state, visit – www.MercyCenters.org
- or Call 503.363-4588 for more. Other Medical Cannabis Resource NetWork
Opportunities for Patients as well as CardHolders-to-be. * whether Social meeting, Open to public
–or- Cardholders Only * visit:
http://mercycenters.org/events/Meets.html ! Also Forums - a means to
communicate and network on medical cannabis in Portland across Oregon and around
the world. A list of Forums, Chat
Rooms, Bulletin Boards and other Online Resources for the Medical Cannabis
Patient, CareGiver, Family Member, Patient-to-Be and Other Interested
Parties. * Resources > Patients (plus) > Online > Forums * Know
any? Let everybody else know! Visit:
http://mercycenters.org/orgs/Forums.html and Post It! |
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<continued
from RALLY, page 1 > legislators
by contacting the WATS operator. Within Salem, call 503-986-1187. Outside of
Salem, please call 1-800-332-2313. If you are a constituent of a member of the committee PLEASE contact
your representative urging they NOT refer this to Ways and Means. Here
is the info on the The House Judiciary Committee Membership: Jeff Barker, Co-Chair - Beaverton and Aloha If
you're not sure who your representative is, go here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
and enter your address. Remember, without the OMMA, all patients would be in violation of
the Oregon controlled substances act. Many patients have controlled substance convictions
which pre-date the OMMA and which were directly related to their medicinal
use. Be polite, direct and use short sentences. If you schedule a meeting, be prompt and dress appropriately. If you can't lobby, come to the hearing to show your opposition to
this proposal. Details: This bill would
punish citizens who committed a past felony, but that have served their time,
and who are also sick enough become doctor-qualified to use medical
marijuana. In this way, the bill seeks to re-punish citizens. This will
would create a significant unfunded mandate for background checks on an
estimated 80,000 current OMMP cardholders, including caregivers as well as
patients. The OMPI estimate for the cost of 80,000 background checks is at
least $7.5 million. It is unlikely that state
agencies could conduct 75,000 background checks without the |
assistance of law enforcement
agencies or private contractors. This would create a significant privacy
concern for OMMP cardholders, who currently enjoy privacy unless part of an
active criminal investigation. This bill also has a punitive effect on patients who
were convicted as drug felons in states with harsh laws; those same patients
would have suffered no more than a misdemeanor under Oregon law. For example,
Oregon residents can possess not more than one ounce of marijuana and receive
only a civil penalty. In other states, the amount needed for a felony
conviction is much lower. The cost of this measure raises
the fear of new fees and fee increases for OMMP program members, to pay for
background checks. In general, OMMP patients are not able to afford higher
fees. 39.4% of
OMMP cardholders currently receive a discounted OMMP fee because they are
low-income, according to OMMP analysis. A copy of the Bill may be found
online at: http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2982.intro.pdf
. and here . History: to find out or stay updated, go
to http://www.leg.state.or.us/searchmeas.html,
select Senate/House type of Measure and enter the bill number - ie;
"2536" for HB2536 - or other keyword to To check up on bills and
see their history. History of HB 2982 – 01/11 (H) First reading. Referred to
Speaker's desk. - 01/21 (H) Referred to Judiciary with
subsequent referral to Ways and Means. Here is the link to the video/news story on Medford's channel 5 on the new medical marijuana bills being
introduced and the rally on Wednesday: http://localnewscomesfirst.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&Itemid=431&task=videodirectlink&id=7663
<continued on next page> |
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<continued from previous page> Testifying
Each speaker called to testify will have two minutes to address the
committee. The
order of Staff respectfully requests that you submit 25 collated copies of
written materials at the time of your testimony and, if possible, an
electronic copy of materials provided to staff 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Persons making
presentations including the use of video, DVD, PowerPoint or overhead
projection equipment are asked to contact committee staff and provide an
electronic copy 24 hours prior to the meeting. Whether you want to testify or not, it would be good to come to
Salem for any hearings. It would be especially good to try to schedule a meeting with your
Senator -or- Representative before the meeting, possible. As with coming to court, if you decide to attend hearings, please dress appropriately and
be polite and respectful. If you cannot attend, Please write or phone and
testify. More
Tips, Tools and Such, Spread the
Word!
out the form entering your home
address. Then click on the "submit" button and you will then be
given your state and US legislators. |
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<continued from 30 BILLS, page 1 > · that an "attending physician" can authorize cards to new requirement that a patients "primary care physician" issue approval · LE would be given lists of growers by OHA. · Growers would have to agree to inspection by LE. · LE would be authorized to remove all plants, product and equipment if a grower is not in compliance (as opposed to removing the amts exceeding OMMA limits). · Changes plant limits to two mature and two seedlings and possession to one ounce. · Removes what little affirmative defense there is all-together. · Drastically changes the composition of the ACMM. And more. Status: 02/09 (H) First reading. Referred to the desks of the Co-Speakers. 02/16
(H) Referred to Health Care with subsequent referral to Judiciary. Rep.
Esquivel had a small blurb in the Sunday Mail Tribune asking his constituents
to read his bill (HB 3202) rolling back OMMA and let him know how they liked
it. We suggest that the reader do
just that! Fill his email inbox and
phone lines with concise explanations of just how this bill would damage OMMP
folks and cost the state in general.
E-mail via - rep.salesquivel@state.or.us - and phone: 503-986-1406. And then get everybody you know to do so
also. And
this is just one of the many gems submitted to the legislation. A search of the Oregon State Legislative
web-site ( http://www.leg.state.or.us:8765/query.html?col=1meas11&qt=marijuana&charset=iso-8859-1
) reveals there are some 30 measures relating to marijuana in the
Oregon State legislature this session and there are undoubtedly more coming.
Hearings are already happening for bills regarding patients right to be a
patient, among others. There is a web page set up with a list at - http://willamettevalleynorml.org/legis/2011/ |
gather
related talking points, LTE examples, Hearing notices, links and Bulletin
Boards so everyone can contribute. We
can make a statement by our numbers so please try to attend Hearings and
such, even if you don't plan to testify. You can also always just go up and
say "ditto" to a previous speaker! Please
e-mail, call or visit if you can't make it and do have testimony, write to
members of the committee -and/or- write your Senator and State Rep. They are mostly hearing from law
enforcement, and other special interests, so you are needed to counter the
deliberate mis-information. Links and other tools on how to contact your rep,
find out about bills, etc. is at - http://willamettevalleynorml.org/legis/state.html For
example, there’s House Bill 3132 Sponsored by Representative
OLSON; Representatives DOHERTY, FREEMAN, JOHNSON, KRIEGER, SCHAUFLER,
SPRENGER, THOMPSON, WHISNANT, Senators KRUSE, MORSE, THOMSEN --
Relating to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and companion to HB2982,
that also Provides that Oregon Health Authority shall revoke registry
identification card if cardholder is convicted of drug crime. Status: 02/07 (H) First reading. Referred to the
desks of the Co-Speakers. And this little beauty to go along with the
previous, reminiscent of the Chinese charging the families of their victims
for the bullets they shoot them with > Senate Bill 70 Printed
pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the President of the
Senate in conformance with presession filing rules, indicating neither
advocacy nor opposition on the part of the President (at the request of
Governor John A. Kitzhaber for Department of State Police) -- Relating to
fees for criminal identification services. > Authorizes Department of
State Police to establish fee schedules to cover costs of obtaining,
maintaining and providing criminal identification records and information. Status: 01/10 (S) Introduction and first reading.
Referred to President's desk; 01/14
(S) Referred to Judiciary, then Ways and Means. Further, there is > House Bill 2994 Sponsored by Representative RICHARDSON
(Presession filed.) -- Relating to the Oregon Medical
Marijuana Program, which Prohibits operation of <continued on next page> |
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<continued
from previous page> marijuana grow site within 2,500 feet of school
or place of worship, that is a real life,
modern day example of “Reefer Madness” driven drivel. It’s Status: 01/11 (H) First reading. Referred to
Speaker's desk; 01/21 (H) Referred to Judiciary. And this one that will take away personal and
private grows by establishing a rigid, specific “co-op” system. It’s
> House Bill 3046 Sponsored by Representative SCHAUFLER, on behalf
of the Stormy Ray Foundation --
Relating to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act; appropriating money; declaring
an emergency; providing for revenue raising that requires approval by a
three-fifths majority. It Directs
Oregon Health Authority to register marijuana cooperatives to operate
marijuana grow sites and sell marijuana to registry identification
cardholders. Imposes 10 percent tax on net profit from sale of marijuana by
cooperative. Continuously appropriates 50 percent of moneys from tax to
authority for purposes of administering Oregon Medical Marijuana
Program. It will > As of January
1, 2013, eliminates registration of marijuana grow sites not operated by
cooperative or at residence of registry identification cardholder or
designated primary caregiver. Status: 02/01 (H) First reading. Referred to the
desks of the Co-Speakers; 02/07 (H)
Referred to Health Care with subsequent referral to Revenue. Along the same lines is HB
3423 that Requires Oregon Health Authority to adopt rules that
establish standards and procedures for registration of manufacture and
delivery of medical marijuana,
Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE. Also, SB 0874, a companion bill
that Provides that registry identification cardholders and designated
primary caregivers may be responsible for indoor marijuana grow site; Directs State Department of Agriculture to
establish registration system for marijuana farms; |
Directs State Board of
Pharmacy to adopt rules allowing pharmacy or pharmacist to purchase marijuana
from marijuana farm and dispense usable marijuana to registry identification
cardholders. Visit - http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measures/sb0800.dir/sb0874.intro.html
> Creates crime of
unlawful manufacture of marijuana on public land. Punishes by maximum of 20
years' imprisonment, $375,000 fine, or both. > Declares
emergency, effective on passage. Status: 01/10 (S) Introduction
and first reading. Referred to President's desk. <continued on next page> |
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<continued from previous page>
> Allows employer
to adopt comprehensive drug-free workplace program, including drug and
alcohol testing policies. Establishes requirements for program and policies,
including requirements for collection of samples and testing procedures. > Exempts employer
from civil actions under certain conditions when employer has adopted
comprehensive drug-free workplace program. Modifies definition of
'compensable injury' in workers' compensation law. Modifies application of
disability law in relation to illegal use of drugs. > Requires applicant for medical marijuana
registry identification card to notify employer before using marijuana.
Provides that Oregon Medical Marijuana Act does not require employer to make
workplace accommodation regardless of where marijuana use occurs. Status: 02/08 (S) Introduction
and first reading. Referred to President's desk. Click here for >> more info << like
text.
Expands ability of
employer to prohibit use of medical marijuana in workplace. Status: 02/08 (S) Introduction
and first reading. Referred to President's desk. Click here for >> more info << like
text. |
Modifies provisions
relating to release of information from Oregon Medical Marijuana Program to
Oregon Health Authority and law enforcement. Status: 02/07 (H) First
reading. Referred to the desks of the Co-Speakers. Click here for >> more info <<
like text. New
bill for OHA to notify landlords about growsite on their property House Bill 3426 > Sponsored
by Representative SPRENGER; Representatives BENTZ, BERGER, CAMERON, ESQUIVEL,
GARRARD, HICKS, JOHNSON, KRIEGER, SCHAUFLER, G SMITH, THOMPSON, Senator
GIROD.
SUMMARY: Requires applicant
for marijuana grow site registration to notify Oregon Health Authority if
premises of marijuana grow site are rented or leased and provide name and
address of owner. Requires authority
to notify owner of premises that authority has registered marijuana grow site
at premises; Declares emergency,
effective on passage. See - http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measures/hb3400.dir/hb3426.intro.html
- for text. We think there are several
issues with this bill. The biggest problem is that
the OMMP requires every patient applicant to register a grow site whether
they have a garden or not. Thousands of patients simply put their own
address. Clinics advise this. If a patient does not list a grow site OMMP
will deny the application. OMMP notifying these landlords that there is a registered
garden (even when there isn't) is <continued on next page> |
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<continued from BILL WOULD NOTIFY LANDLORDS, previous page> equivalent
to notifying a patient's landlord that they are a medical marijuana patient. Then, also, So much for a
patient's privacy, HIPPA, etc. We
don't like rules that say you have to inform anyone about someones private
information Does ones landlord get to know if one is on anti psychotic meds?
Or any narcotics or therapy prescribed by ones Doc? We know that we’d want a large
deposit if the person were going to grow indoors, as, sadly, it is usual for
tenants to be less careful of the property than the actual owner .... who has
to replace floors damaged by water or molds or whatever. We do think it is reasonable for landlords
to know if there is something going on on their property which is potentially
damaging to it or if there are structural or electrical changes being made,
so a rule which says one must inform landlords of above changes or indoor
nurseries seems reasonable. This is
not it. A good landlord would be
checking their property at least once a year - does the roof need repair? Are
the appliances in good shape? Things that the landlord owes to the tenant.
The tenant owes the landlord the rent and a careful use of the property that
is in their day to day control. A lazy or inattentive landlord should not
rely on the state to do their job for them. Further, what is the real extent
of the loss among renters? Is this
just more Reefer Madness as a front to some real estate industry scheme? How many millions must patients and the
state pay to subsidize these real estate ventures? We do think it is a really
good idea for growers to be honest with their landlords, but making it a law
and creating lots of extra work for the OMMP at patient's expense seems like
a bad idea. And, lastly but by no means
leastly, We are not comfortable with the continued singling out of cannabis
nor anything that furthers the image of cannabis cultivation as a wrong thing
to be doing. This bad bill and the problems that it highlights is one more
reason we need a regulated medical marijuana supply system. |
<continued
from CHECKPOINTs, page 1 > unreasonable searches. The legislators are proposing the
amendment in House Joint Resolution 25.
If it passes, voters would get their say in the 2012 general election.
In 1987, the Oregon Supreme
Curt prohibited random checkpoints on constitutional grounds. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld checkpoints, and
in an online report this month, the Governors Highway Safety Association said
38 states and the District of Columbia do conduct such operations. Among Oregon neighbors, California and
Nevada allow them, but Idaho and Washington; do not. As of Monday the legislature's webiste
said HB 3133 had been re-ferred to the desks of the House co-speakers and not
yet been assigned to committee. Write Your State Senator or Representative and Urge
Support for Marijuana Law Reform. NORML has made it easy and convenient for
you to amend the laws in your state. NORML's Legislative Action Alert page has
up-to-date information on marijuana law reform proposals, upcoming
legislative hearings, and scheduled votes. With a few quick clicks of a
mouse, you can also contact your state elected officials and urge them to
vote 'yes' for saner pot policies. Visit – http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/
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* The MERCY News
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mercycenter@hotmail.com > (503)
363-4588 <
www.MercyCenters.org * |
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