Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2014

Sign the petition, volunteer or donate at www.cannabistaxact.org and make Oregon one of the next states to legalize recreational Cannabis!

Continuing the snowball effect that was begun by Washington state and Colorado legalizing recreational weed, Oregon may be next. While the state already has medical Cannabis laws in place, two initiatives regarding recreational pot are being offered to qualified voters that would override current Cannabis laws, under the umbrella title of the 'Oregon Cannabis Tax Act' or OCTA 2014. In order for the initiatives to be added to the ballot, the authors need to submit 87,213 valid signatures from registered Oregon voters - but they are aiming for collecting 200,000. The latter number accounts for duplicates or invalid signatures and will also impress upon the Oregon legislature that this is a serious venture and one that is widely accepted by the state's residents. Chief petitioners are Douglas Paul Stanford (CRRH/THCF), William N. Appel (CRRH/THCF) and Michael Bachara (CRRH).

Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2014: I-21

If it fails, Initiative Petition #21 (I-21) for the Oregon General Election of November 4, 2014 would simply leave current prohibitive pot laws in place, the ones that outlaw production, possession or delivery of non-medical Cannabis under the 'Oregon Medical Marijuana Act'. A 'yes' vote would effectively amend the state constitution and allow adults to privately possess, use and/or manufacture the plant, save for 'actions endangering children [or] public safety'. In addition, the state would regulate and tax the substance, promoting best practices in canna-businesses and creating revenue for, among other things, improving infrastructure and funding Cannabis regulation.

The summary states:

'Under current law, possession, manufacture and delivery of more than one ounce of Cannabis (marijuana), and possession or delivery of less than an ounce within 1,000 feet of a school, are criminal offenses; possession of less than one ounce, or delivery of less than five grams, of Cannabis is a violation; Oregon Medical Marijuana Act regulates use, possession, cultivation of
specified amounts of Cannabis for treatment of a "debilitating medical condition" (defined). Measure amends Oregon Constitution to make criminal laws, sanctions, civil forfeiture laws inapplicable to private, personal use, possession or production of Cannabis/any products of Cannabis, by a person aged twenty-one or older, unless endangers minors or public safety. Permits state regulation reasonably defining, limiting, regulating use, possession, production, sale, taxation of Cannabis.'

Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2014: I-22

While production and possession of medi-weed is permitted in Oregon, a 'no' vote for I-22 would retain the state's current position that Cannabis is classified as a controlled substance; therefore, for the most part, possession, manufacture or sale of pot would remain illegal. However, if Initiative Petition #22 (I-22) passes, it would supplant the existing Cannabis laws in the state and create a commission responsible for regulating the sale of Cannabis, in addition to its production and processing. Exceptions include laws relating to medi-weed and DUID. The commission would work in conjunction with Cannabis retailers, providing a licensing system and setting prices, as well as partially diverting profits towards funding said commission.

The summary states:

'Currently, cultivation, possession, sale of Cannabis are unlawful, excepting regulated production, possession, use of medical marijuana. Measure supersedes state, local laws relating to Cannabis (marijuana), except medical marijuana and driving under the influence laws. Prohibits regulation of "hemp" (defined). Creates commission to license Cannabis cultivation, processing by qualified persons; commission sets price, purchases entire crop. Commission sells Cannabis at cost to pharmacies, medical research facilities; for profit at set retail price to qualified adults. Licensed retailers receive fifteen percent of gross sales. Proceeds fund commission, Attorney General's enforcement of measure's criminal provisions. Ninety percent of profit goes to state general fund, remainder as designated. Attorney General must "vigorously defend" measure, any person prosecuted for licensed activities, propose federal/international law consistent with measure.'

Oregon Cannabis Amendment 2014

Should I-21 and I-22 be approved, Article I of the Constitution of the State of Oregon would be amended to include the following verbiage:

'Applicability of state laws and penalties to the private personal use, possession and production of Cannabis; exceptions; state may regulate.'

'Except for actions that endanger minors or public safety, neither the criminal offenses and sanctions nor the laws of civil forfeiture of this State shall apply to the private personal use, possession or production of Cannabis, and any products produced therefrom, by adults 21 years of age or older. The State may enact laws and regulations consistent with this amendment to reasonably define, limit and regulate the use, possession, production, sale or taxation of Cannabis under state law.'

The OCTA 2014 website also offers a download-able form for endorsing the legislation; if you have direct political affiliation or simply want to publicly lend your name to the Act, check out the website and complete the form. Those interested may also donate online or find out more about volunteering in a variety of areas, including collecting signatures, distributing literature, hosting fundraisers, and offering assistance in other areas.

At press time, the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act is endorsed by the following:

Organizations/Legal/Publications
John C. Lucy IV, Lawyer
Oregon Chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Pacific Green Party of Oregon
The Silver Tour
Time4Hemp

Individuals
Matthew R. Abel - Attorney at Law, NORML Legal Committee
Jared Allaway - Real Legalization, State Volunteer Coordinator
Ngaio Bealum - Cannabis Comedian/Entrepreneur
Fred Gardner - Activist/Editor for O'Shaughnessy's
Michael P. Henning - Director, Hempsters: Plant the Seed (2010)
Mark Herer - Hemp Entrepreneur
Casper Leitch - Activist/Time4Hemp Host
Phillip Leveque - D.O., Ph.D.
John C. Lucy IV - Attorney at Law
Willie Nelson - Farm Aid Founder/Patriot
Robert Platshorn - The Silver Tour, Executive Director
Steve Wessing - Cannabis Activist/Hempstalk Booking & Stage Coordinator
Ann B. Witte - Attorney at Law

Signed petitions and donations can be snail-mailed to:
OCTA Campaign Headquarters
(or Help End Marijuana Prohibition in Oregon)
2712 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97232

To learn more, sign or donate, check out the following sites:
www.cannabistaxact.org (OCTA 2014)
www.crrh.org (Campaign to Restore and Regulate Hemp)
www.hemp.org (Help End Marijuana Prohibition)