New Law Would Legalize Marijuana in Oregon

Can an antiquated law from 1937 called the "Marihuana Tax Act" finally be turned around? Those guiding the passage of this new Oregon law will put the credibility and effectiveness of the 1937 legislation to the test.

The law that began landing American farmers in jail for the first time in 1937, was lifted during WWII so American farmers could help support the war effort, by growing Hemp for Victory and they even produced a film by that name in 1942. Courtesy: NORML

(SALEM, Ore.) - A proposed law for Oregon would radically alter the availability of marijuana for adults, by allowing the herb to be purchased in liquor stores. The Oregonians For Cannabis Reform 2010, say the Oregonian Cannabis Tax Act would make cannabis products legal and available in a retail environment. Proponents say it will mean millions and millions of dollars for Oregon's state coffers and many predict that the move would literally salvage the state's unstable economy.

Backers of this Initiative say their plan would send 90 percent of the proceeds from the state's sale of marijuana to Oregon's General Fund, which could lower the state tax burden significantly. Portions of the revenue would be used to fund drug abuse education and treatment programs.

But right now, the people bringing this opportunity for Oregon voters forward, says their effort needs money, equipment, and, most of all, volunteers.

But they say the payoff will be enormous, as the Cannabis Tax Act (CTA) will take the lucrative marijuana market out of the black market, where children and substance abusers often control it today, and place it in state liquor stores, where the age limit of 21 and older is strictly enforced.

Advocates also say it will be like a rebirth of the Oregon farmer. Farmers will be licensed to cultivate cannabis for both medicinal and adult private use. Farmers will be able to grow industrial hemp without a license, for paper, fabric, protein and oil, under the new proposed law.

Medical Marijuana

While the overall law as it is proposed addresses all marijuana use for adults, there are specific allowances to aid the ongoing battle for the rights of medical marijuana users. The CTA will allow doctors to prescribe untaxed cannabis through pharmacies, so patients won’t have to grow their own or buy medicine illegally.

The law would modify Oregon's program and ultimately, see it appear more similar to California, where dispensaries are already available for people using marijuana legally.

They say that while accomplishing so many things, the law would also raise millions of dollars in new public revenue, lowering the tax burden on all and saving taxpayers money by taking the profit out of crime.

More than marijuana, the CTA will restore industrial hemp, the most productive agricultural source of fiber protein and oil, and a huge aspect of American heritage. Hemp seed oil is diesel fuel. The first cordage, cloth and paper were invented from hemp fiber.

Advocates say the laws would virtually wipe out the black-market. "The CTA allows police and the courts to concentrate on real criminals that hurt others, not arrest, prosecute and jail harmless, productive adult cannabis users. Stop our government from tearing families apart. Let’s show real family values and end cannabis prohibition."

The OCTA will wage its campaign to help stop the War on Cannabis by challenging the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act- it's credibility and effectiveness. This is the law that was precededd by mass hype and hysteria fed to the American public by Harry Anslinger, (see: Harry Anslinger page on Wikipedia) a dubious U.S. politician who worked with Dow Chemicals and Dupont in the 1920's and 30's, to demonize marijuana and place it in an illegal category, in order to get their new "synthetic rope" on the market. In truth, the natural hemp fiber is to this day, superior in strength, quality and durability.

It would appear that Anslinger was a conservative who truly believed marijuana to be a threat to the future of American civilization, yet his biographer maintained that he was an astute government bureaucrat who viewed the marijuana issue as a means for elevating himself to national prominence.

Paul Stanford of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, told KATU that the measure would also put a dent in illegal dealing of the weed.

"We want to take marijuana out of the hands of children and substance abusers, who control the market today, and put it in the hands of the state's liquor control commission and the age limit of 21 will be strictly enforced," Stanford said.

Others say it is simply the time to do this, and the next presidential administration will almost certainly live up to statements that they will be supportive of state's legal rights to pass marijuana laws, and redirect federal agents and protocols. This clears the path for very large steps as medical marijuana tests and research continues to yield one new medical application after another.

Dr. Phillip Leveque of Molalla, Oregon, first became familiar with the positive health-related aspects of marijuana in the early 1950's, while studying at the Oregon Medical School in Corvallis. That was a bottle of marijuana cough medicine from before Harry Anslinger's time. Leveque is a WWII combat veteran. As a physician, toxicologist and pharmacologist, Dr Leveque offers sound reasoning. "I would be far more surprised to see someone come up with something it is not helpful for, as a medical property." He says little time is passing now between large developments that show marijuana's potential role in society as a legal product.

Supporters have two years to collect nearly 83,000 signatures to get the measure on the November ballot in 2010. They say you can learn more about this proposed new law for Oregon, by visiting this page: CannabisTaxAct.org/oregon/

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we have to start somewhere.. and lets make it legal on the westcoast....

Only when marijuana becomes legal in all 50 states will we stop giving the drug cartels and gangsters billions of americas dollers every year.

It is such a great idea that if legalizing it would provide a boost to our economy and put people to work for green jobs. The only downside I could think of, even I disagree with myself, but in reality it is such a great form of medicine that if it were to become legal kids and teens will have more access to it; thus creating a situation where future generations will be affected in a negative way.

I don't see why they don't just have it to where people 18 and older can purchase pot if they do legalize. I mean because most people by the time they hit their mid-twenties they stop smoking pot, what kind of profit is that? More younger people smoke than older people. It would be stupid to have it legalized for people only 21 and older. Sounds a little ridiculous honestly. I think they should legalize though, just change the age limit. I think you should be able to buy pot legally if you can get tobacco legally at the age of 18. If you think about it, tobacco does more damage to your body then pot does. I'm just saying, all in all, they'd be downright idiotic to make for 21 and older only.

you cant take away nature and not expect a fight it is oure god given right to what god made on earth and for us to tell people not to touch what he created for us is a crime higher than that of our govenment

Daniel, your right. The legalization of marijuana and its availability in liquor stores wont entirely prevent underage children from using the substance, but, like tobacco or alcohol, it will be harder to receive unless your over the designated age. Drug dealers will still be around to distribute marijuana to minors but they will have a much more limited supply of customers. The benefits of marijuana legalization are obvious. Unfortunately our society has trained us to believe that all drugs are horrible. Since we were in school we have been shown the "worst case scenarios" of drug use and brainwashed to believe what the government wants us to. It is sad to see that we are now unable to think for ourselves, because I know hundreds of people that have benefited from their recreational marijuana use. None of which have allowed the substance to catalyze a significant deteriorative alteration in their lifestyles. Furthermore, I have smoked marijuana for many years and it wasn't until I started smoking cigarettes that I noticed a change to my physical health.

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING OVER AND OVER HOW MARIJUANA IS "THE GATE WAY DRUG" OBVIOUSLY A STATMENT MADE BY IGNORANT MINDS!!!!! DO YOUR RE SEARCH...MARIJUANA IS NOT THE GATEWAY..ALCOHOL IS!!! THE MEDICINAL VALUE OF MJ IS PRICELESS..WE HAVE NO PROBLEM TAKING PERSCRIBED MEDICATIONS WITH 500 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS INCLUDING DEATH FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS RANGING FROM HEART BURN TO CRONIC PAIN CAUSED BY FIBROYMIAGIA, WHY DO WE SO READILY ACCEPT PHARMACUTICALS THAT CAUSE LIVER AND KIDNEY DAMAGE? BECAUSE OMG IT IS FDA APPROVED AND LEGAL IF PERSCRIBED. IT IS IGNORANCE THAT KEEPS MARIJUANA FROM BEING LEGALIZED, THAT AND THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THE DRUG COMPANIES WOULD LOSE IF IT WAS LEGALIZED. GO OREGON IT IS ABOUT TIME!

i believe that weed should be legal it does help people out i have depression and it helps me out alot

hell ya this rocks

Not only is the synthetic drug marinol a prime example that government knows that marijuana has benifits to ones health it's patent is up in 2011,the FDA have given professor ElSohly of mississipi a fedral license to exclusively produce marijuana for the pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt, a subsidiary of Tyco International.. his arrangement appears to be for the purpose of bringing to market a generic form of Marinol. All of this going on whall the general public is told that Marijuana has not health benifits.. It would be nice if these agencies such as the FDA and DEA had the transparency that they are suppose to have under the Data Quality Act set forth by President Obama.. I believe we the people should know all the scientific research information and the methods they went about to get that information that they claim to have done research on, so we can come to a conclusion that they are doing their job right and fully for the benifit of the general public and not lining their own wallets with billions of dollars of the tax payers hard earned money. Not only are they lining their own wallets with the tax payers money through Big Pharm. But hundereds of thousands of people are going to jail every year, losing their jobs. children. education, having more trouble getting a job etc at tax payers expense.. It really does add up to too much money, so when I hear Obama say it wont benifit the economy to uplift the ban on marijuana, I have to make a smirk, think of the DEA and FDA getting rich, whall thousands die every year and hundreds end up losing everythin in their life and possibly spending years in jail over something they already know is okay for the general public... I call for transparency in the FDA and DEA and an end to the Prohibition On Marijuana.. which the mexican czars get 3/4 of their income from..

Marijuana never should have been prohibited in the first place. All federal drug laws should be repealed. It's up to the states to tax it. But no government has legal power to regulate morality. Only the individual has authority over what he puts into his own body.

Hi. I have used Marijuana many times in my life. I now use it when i have a break from school or special events. I can walk away from it at any time. This is my first point: many Oregonians can personally use this intoxicant for responsible personal use. Therefore, i support the age of 21. Also, if it comes from the government or farmers you would not have to worry about what the Marijuana has been laced with. You would know exactly where the pot you are about to smoke came from and you could safely use it. I would also like to point out the equation is simple. Legalizing Marijuana would not only let our law enforcement state wide deal with the more violent hateful crimes but, our legal system would also be freed of the pot smokers and distributors. This would allow for our public offenders PO's and lawyers to divert their energies to issues and people who really need it. But, again this has nothing to do with the wonders it could do for our justice systems. It comes down to money. This act could single handedley take America out of debt. It would also impact the pharmacies. Potentially prescriptions, food, taxes, hemp based products, and this would provide thousands of JOBS. People are losing their homes. I feel that Oregonians are starting to remember what hard work is. Considering, I see every night on the news how people are willing to scrub houses, mow lawns, work at fast food joint just to make ends meet. I am sure many Oregonian would love to work in Hemp field to keep their homes, cars, or food on their tables during this economic down turn. MONEY...PEOPLE...SAFTEY.. that is what legalizing Marijuana will do for Oregon.

Also, i think a revolution is coming.

Ya this is the best idea ever but would it be inforced with pregnancies?

Mike if your kids are under 21 they will still be buying from the local dealer who will buy it from the liquor store . Oregon will also be flooded by want to be grower from all over this country and Mexico , growing to export to the rest of the USA . Mike look at northern California its becoming over run by growers from Mexico and US gang members . A nation policy solves this problem , a state only policy does not . The proposed bill has many good parts to it, but too many holes to make it workable .

so.....i would enjoy this because i would rather have my kids get weed from the government. then streetkids who will sell to you then turn around kisk your ass an take everything. i think it would have the crime rate drop derasctally

Oregon is a Marijuana exporting state , this plan will only increase the illegal production for export . The local dealer will concentrate there sales to those under 21 . The state will be flooded by US and foreign gangs like northern California has been, growing for export on private and government lands . The only reasonable policy is national decriminalization , this takes away the profit motive . Who do you export it too if everybody can grow it . Oregon should start with decriminalization for those over 18 , those under give a ticket like underage drinking . Industrial production is useless if you do not have nation legalization for distribution . The big problem with industrial production is its very labor intensive . When industrial use is finally legalized we will be importing it from China because of labor costs , like most of the cotton products . I saw a eco future magazine last week and on the cover they had an ECO village , it looked cool except for the people standing in water all day planting rice . Please tell me where these people are from, i have never run across anyone in Oregon that wants to work in a rice patty all day . The pot growers work hard producing there product because they make lots of money . Producing hemp industrially is hard work and requires a large investment in expensive decorticating machines and much much smaller profits . Oregon has to import workers to harvest crops , where will all the hard working hemp workers come from ? Hemp needs to be legal for industrial and recreational use nation wide , the Oregon plan is not the answer .

I believe it should be legal , but i dont think selling it in liquor stores is a good idea . Compassion centers or drug stores would be preferable . Selling it with liquor may encourage the use of alcohol with pot . Putting control under the state liquor commission is a poor idea . If its legal the farmer should be able to sell it like any other crop . Its crazy to think if you only sell it to those over 21 , that those under will stop using it . How often does someone over 21 buy booze for there underage friends ? The fact is there are many teens who smoke it and they will not stop because its legal for those only over 21 ! This makes a large black market to sell to . Will the state also limit the potency of the ganja , this plan has too many holes .

People like Walt Brewster is what is wrong with this country. He said he was 11 when he started smoking marijuana and at 12 he was doing harder drugs. How much you want to bet if marijuana wasn't even around he still would've been doing harder drugs. He was destined to be a foul up. Obviously he needed a better role model in his life. But just because you were horrible in your youth, doesn't mean everyone's going to do the same thing. At 12 I was concentrating on playing football. People like him is why we have a problem trying to get this legalized. He gives marijuana smokers a black eye. I go to work everyday, I pay my bills on time, I've never been to jail, I've never commited any serious crimes, and yet I'm a marijuana smoker. Wow amazing how that happened, right! No, not everyone who smokes marijuana is a criminal. Marijuana should have the same treatment as alcohol. I totally agree with the age group. 21 is a good age to bring this out. Just want to say thank you Oregon for showing this country what possibilities can be. If you need someone to sign a petition feel free to let me know.

Walt Brewster sucks rooster... Just because you don't have enough brain cells to support toking and living a normal life doesn't mean EVERYONE CAN'T HANDLE IT... I think the people have spoken...and we want legalization and the government to stop locking up non-violent people.Once we can grow a few plants in the back yard, there will be little need for these mexican drug cartels...black market gone...problem solved. We want back our right to grow a god given plant....

Im from Seaside Oregon,lets past this law we need it,i no oregon can grow

I love weed. It makes life more enjoyable. I smoke everyday and go to work high I dont take cig breaks I take weed breaks. I have never been more productive

1.Is Marijuana Addictive? "NO" 2.Does it Kill Brain Cells?"NO" 3.Smokers cough? Cancer? "NO" 4.permanent illness? "NO" 5.Gateway Drug? "NO" Relize Category: Life "Think About This" Marijuana does It Scare You? Does It Change Your perspective Of People? Does It? Does It Harm You? Hmm.. "Lets See" Don't Believe the news and Government about gods gift to us... "Lies" "Watch The Full Documentary Below" Before I Get Started.. People think they know About weed? well they don't before you go around thinking you know what pot does to You Do some research please. 1.Is Marijuana Addictive? "NO" 2.Does it Kill Your Brain Cells? "NO" 3.Smokers cough? Cancer? "NO" 4.permanent illness? "NO" 5.Gateway Drug? "NO" Total Deaths In 2000 [Tobacco] 435,000 [Alcohol] 85,000 And [Marijuana] 0.... This is ridiculous; by keeping marijuana prohibition up it strengthens organized crime, which keeps the Feds earning big bucks. But if legalized and taxed estimated to 14 billion would be earned a year (the union) so if prohibition doesn’t work then why waste money, time, Jail space, and all the thousands of jobs that could be created if cannabis and hemp were to be legalized? But marijuana still stays illegal today, why is this? That is a very good question that still has not yet been clearly answered... Legalize this Wonderful plant that could gain such a enormous revenue And stop arresting Responsible cannabis users. "peace and pot"

I was arested in 1971 for posession of pot.If this law passes do I get back 2 years of my life or at least a big check.
Sorry but I think this law and med. cards is a big mistake. I know smoking pot makes some people smarter but thats just becouse they didnt have any brain cells to start with and after they come down they are real dumb.
Yes I smoked pot for years then I got off the couch and got a job and quit trying to find ways to get everyone who works for a living to pay for my checks of dissability payments.When the disability I had wasd getting stoned. Incredibly when i quit getting stoned I got better and even felt like working.
Listen I started pot at 11 and went to harder drugs by 12. Then on the front page of the Statesman at 39 I had quit. I'm 56 now and feel alot smarter than being loaded. We don't need a bunch of stoned mindless people in this world we already have senators and represinitives to fill those places in life

I no longer live in Oregon. but I was born and rased there. I have moved to Arizona. I fit in better here. but weed just is not looked at the same here. Its even a felony. Hippys are not the only people who smoke. every one smokes. yes even cowboys. you luky people.im jelus. AZ is so far behind. Pray for AZ. Hell move here and bring that mentality. if we get AZ a legal pot smoking state we can get them all.

Please watch Kevin Booths documentry "American Drug War". Best education on above topic avaliable period. And yes this entire thread is heading in the right direction. The argument for legalization of Marijuana has to be centered around how the governments can make money, not that it is less harmful than other drugs. If the government gave a crap about what harms a whole lot more stuff would be illegal. This entire issue is centered aroung money. The largest contributors to "A Partnership for Drug Free America" are pharmacutical, alcohol and tobbaco companies. One group of Drug dealers using power, money and influence to keep down rival drug dealers. It is time for the will of the people to come forward. I think we can all see what happens when privliged few are allowed to run things. Please do what you can to help take our country back. Get involved. Let your state congressman know how you feel. Write, e-mail, text, demonstrate do whatever you can we are on the fringe of change. It is up to us.

Here in the United States we have a Constitution to define the responsibilities of government, which basically fall within the bounderies of what is best for the general well being of the public. There is no more time for fussing around about who's smoking pot. The economy's gone to pot and we've got to stop the nonsense. Legalizing hemp and the notorious cannabis flowers would greatly improve the effectiveness and accountability of government. It's not a cure all but the government could use the huge cut in spending that would come with the end of prohibition. The end of cannabis prohibition would drastically improve the efficiency of our judicial system. Many billions of dollars a year are spent on a law enforcement sheme with very minimal public benefit. While keeping the pot illegal does give the government an excuse to keep a close eye on hippies and shady characters, it isn't worth it to have all that money and time getting spent chasing some nuisance characters when the state is already overloaded with public programs. The drug war doesn't work and therefore makes a mockery of our highly capable law enforcement agencies.There are too many ways that our brave police officers can find themselves caught up in borderline criminal activities while spending time policing the drug world, distracted from their real duties. We believe that if you turn drug use into a private personal issue, instead of a state issue, the black market dealers will loose the thrust of their power and all that money they've been making would be in back in the legitimate markets. Let's just focus on real crimes which pose a provable threat to public safety, like gang violence, professional thieving and sexual predators. While pot smoking is notoriously controvercial among Conservatives, it doesn't deserve our attention as a primary issue in this critical time of trial and tribulation. There's no sense in sending out the swat teams for an herb that's no more mind altering than common cold medicines and is not killing anyone.

I believe america needs weed!! I am a firm believer in marijuana...

IF THEY LEAGALIZE POT I WILL MOVE TO OREGON. AND MY BUISNESS TO WILL HAVE AT LEAST 6 POSITIONS FOR EMPLOYEES TO START. NO MY BUISNESS ISN'T CULTIVATING. I CREATE IN HOME/OFFICE VIVARIUMS.

All I can say is thank God that people who believe in legalization are the majority of this country, and that everyone is finally pissed off enough about this unjust law and the lies that our own government used to promote the prohibition of Marijuana from the get go that things are starting to actually change. Join the Million Marijuana March, see you at the White House!!!

Help people get off the streets and get jobs while we all get messed up and happy :)

It has it's pro's and cons... If I can grow it, I will be happy as s*%t... If not, I hope it doesnt pass!!! Cus goddamnit I can get it else where and the liquor store aint going to sell no s*%t that I will want. I promise you. When it comes to my greens, I only want the finest!

Also I agree with nestor, the age limit should be 18. If you can buy cigarettes then we should be able to buy weed :]

I live in Eugene, OR and I'd LOVE to see weed legalized. Honestly it's about the BEST drug FOR YOU out there. Most everything else can kill you. Not downing other drugs just upping weed ;] Let's hope it goes through :]]]

im from oregon i dont see y we wont be the first to legalize we had the first medical plan

Yes Oregon please set the stage for the USA. When Oregon pass this law my family would love to move to your state.

Im moving there if it happens,ive only smoked 2 times since april and i am 45 now,started when i was a gay suicidal teen at 15 and pot saved my life,i miss it,i need it for anxiety and to relax my muscles and nerves but am in a new town where i dont know anyone and do NOT drink or go to bars,so i have no hookup.it is like a medicine to me and the stress i go through is making my chest hurt,i need to relax,and cannot without it

Just like moonshine it is all about the tax money.

my grandma SMOKES pot

Dieties for pot.

not just states but countries should legalize cannabis. 21 is too long, you make it seem bigger than what it is. 18 or 19 should feel free to make there own choices, and to smoke the herbal medicine for relaxation of the mind, and the enlightenment of freedom.

All i have to say is.......I,m moving to Oregon!!!

This would be a blessing. How many people a year die from alcohol related crimes, or health problems? Our government has no problem leaving alcohol legal, and it kills, and carries no medical purpose. Marijuana is not only a renewable resource, its medical purposes are also growing. Sure its also used at home for personal enjoyment, I'm not sure the last time i saw a pot smoker go on a rampage.. more like loose motive to do much of anything. Marijuana related crimes all deal with the fact that its illegal and many people illegally distribute it, that's our current problem with Marijuana. LEGALIZE IT!

I was arrested in 1992 for growing weed..I think this is a great ideal it would boost the ecomny.

Just remember, evolution is slow and We need relief now. More mature thinking is the rational answer.Pray for the passing of this bill,cause I'm down to seeds and stems again.

Marijuana has been illigal for years because they dont know how to tax it, if this happens the government will make bank and the country will be much better economicly

hey i think this is one of the best ideas the us have came up with they shouldant be able to tell us not to smoke a herb thats here for a reason an smoking its the best. we just shouldn't let them tell us how to live

If nothing else, this will bring the issue of cannanis legalization into the arena of public discussion. The tide has been turning for a long time. The public is ready for re-legalization, now. Groups who are out of touch with the voting public (Press Agencies and Pols.) will think it's a sudden change in public opinion. Prohibitionist's hate the fact that the war on cannabis is a complete failure. Alcohol prohibition and repeal, all over again. Some people never learn from our country's historical mistakes. I'm sending a donation right away.

This will definitely stimulate the economy......AND I'm high right now.

Only criminals and crooked politicians want Hemp to stay illegal. Legal or not I take Marijuana Muscle Hemp Protein every day for my health.

We need something to give our economy a boost and this could easly be the way. A larg part of our country already uses Marijuana daily so why not help it to pay some of the debt

YES!! Hippy town will for sure be happy! =) Such a great idea. I'm not a fan of pot myself, but I fully believe it should be legalized.

We need something to give our economy a boost and this could easly be the way. A larg part of our country already uses Marijuana daily so why not help it to pay some of the debt

We need something to give our economy a boost and this could easly be the way. A larg part of our country already uses Marijuana daily so why not help it to pay some of the debt

drug laws=racism. These drugs no doubt co-evolved with us, they've been around just as long as humanity. tinyurl.com/1mn The feds outlawed pot to recover the slavery lost when the N won the civil war.

This is a great idea. Hopefully it will pass and other states will follow Oregon's foot steps, eventually pressuring the national govt. to legalize marijuana.

It's about time the government decides to get tax money from marijuana because soon pharmaceutical companies will find a way to corner the market and everyone will lose except them.

I believe this is long over due. In no time, other states will follow our foot steps. Oregon sets the stage for property tax relief at the expense of the dealer. I like it! Let's do this!

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