FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tue, Jul 12, 2011

PORTLAND, OR – As the federal government tries to tighten the screws surrounding cannabis for medical use, many states have responded with legislation attempts to end cannabis prohibition for all adults. Oregon is no exception. The most recent and most viable is Sensible Oregon.

With Madeline Martinez, Sole Proprietress of the World Famous Cannabis Café and Executive Director of Oregon NORML, as Chief Petitioner, the prospective initiative would remove existing civil and criminal penalties for adults twenty one years of age, who cultivate, possess, transport, exchange or use marijuana.

“The state would manage access,” reports Martinez, who is also the first Latina to serve on the board of national NORML, “which will protect our children and boost our economy. Money that was going to the black market can be funneled into our state’s economy. We all know that drug dealers don’t ask for ID.”

Sensible Oregon, a group made up of multiple organizations dedicated to ending adult marijuana prohibition in 2012, began the process in January 2011. After several drafts, the final result was submitted for circulation over the 4th of July weekend.

“Cannabis prohibition is a costly and harmful policy that unfairly hurts the poor and wastes tax payer dollars,” states Anthony Johnson, Vice President of Oregon Green Free and Political Director of Progressive Reform of Oregon. “Our limited law enforcement resources are needlessly spent arresting and jailing non-violent citizens for using a substance much safer than alcohol and pharmaceutical narcotics. It is sensible to focus our resources on protecting our state's citizens from burglars, rapists and murderers.”

By removing all civil and criminal penalties for cannabis for adults, this innovative proposal will allow the legislature to enact the industrial hemp bill that passed the Oregon legislature in 2009. Our farmers will help create new sustainable jobs, and we can eliminate our dependence on foreign oil and provide Oregon’s children the quality education they deserve and need to lead our future.

Current laws surrounding minors and DUII will remain in place to protect public safety. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act is also retained to ensure that the program’s 50,000 registrants are safeguarded.

Currently recruiting volunteer petitioners and interns, members of Sensible Oregon are available for speaking engagements and to provide information. Please feel free to contact us at sensibleoregon@gmail.com, 503-239-6110 or find us on facebook.