Legislation introduced  in Oregon would establish a regulatory system, similar to the one in place in the state for alcohol, for the cultivation, production, and sale of cannabis.

HB3371, An Act Relating to the Control, Regulation and Taxation of Cannabis Act, would set up a system of regulation for marijuana and hemp in Oregon. This legislation would allow adults to possess up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana and grow up to six plants in their homes, in addition to purchasing it from regulated retail outlets.

The purposes of sections 1 to 47 of this 2013 Act are:

(a) To establish a comprehensive state policy concerning Cannabis, which include:
marijuana and industrial hemp under existing state law;

(b) To protect the safety, welfare, health and peace of the people of this state by better
prioritizing the state’s limited law enforcement resources;

(c) To eliminate the problems caused by the prohibition and uncontrolled manufacture,
delivery and possession of marijuana within this state; and

(d) To ensure that the State Department of Agriculture issues industrial hemp licenses
and agricultural hemp seed production permits in accordance with existing state law.

The Committee on Revenue sponsored the bill.

Essential features of the measure as introduced include:

– Provides for regulation of production, processing and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products. Directs Oregon Health Authority to license marijuana producers, marijuana processors, marijuana wholesalers and marijuana retailers.

– Provides for taxation of marijuana production. Directs Oregon Liquor Control Commission to oversee taxation of marijuana. Provides for distribution of moneys collected as tax.

– Punishes violations of Act by $1,000 fine. Punishes certain other offenses by $650 fine.

– Limits applicability of crimes in this state related to manufacturing, distributing, or possessing marijuana to person under 21 years of age or, for delivery of marijuana, to person, who delivers marijuana to person under 21 years of age.

The bill also opens the door for growing industrial hemp in Oregon. This  industrial agricultural product has a wide variety of uses, including the manufacture of cordage of varying tensile strength, durable clothing and nutritional products. During World War II, the United States military relied heavily on hemp products, which resulted in the famous campaign and government-produced film, “Hemp for Victory!” The federal government forbids hemp production in the U.S., putting it in the same category as marijuana.

Tenth Amendment Center communications director Mike Maharrey said HB3371 would put control of marijuana and hemp in the hands of the state, where it belongs.

“The federal government claims the authority to regulate marijuana and hemp, and prohibits growing and using it. But nowhere does the Constitution delegate this power to the feds. Don’t believe me? Then ask yourself this question: why did prohibition of alcohol require a constitutional amendment? The federal war on drugs is just like all of the other wars the U.S. has waged since World War Two – illegal.”

The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for a hearing on April 2.

ACTION ITEMS

1. Contact members of the Judiciary Committee. If you live in Oregon let committee members know you want Oregon to chart its own destiny on regulation of marijuana and hemp. You can find committee member contact information HERE.

2. Contact your own representative. Send your own representative the same message. You can find legislator contact information HERE.

Legislation and Tracking

If you don’t live in Oregon, you can track marijuana legislation across the U.S. and find model legislation to introduce in your state HERE.

Linda McDonald