1	"Patient Collective Distribution System" Patient Collective Distribution System Cooperative Sharing and Networking in the Cannabis Patient Community
2	Oregon Medical Marijuana Act ORS 475.300 Findings. The people of the state of Oregon hereby find that: (1) Patients and doctors have found marijuana to be an effective treatment for suffering caused by debilitating medical conditions, and therefore, marijuana should be treated like other medicines; OMMA passes in 1998 with 55% of vote Establishes registry system for patients and caregivers Provides for growing and free exchange No provision for sales or dispensary
3	OMMA allows free exchange ORS 475.302 (3): “Delivery” does not include transfer of marijuana by a registry identification cardholder to another registry identification cardholder if no consideration is paid for the transfer. Patients are allowed to exchange medicine and plants for “no consideration” Informal personal networking helps a few patients get safe access to the excess medicine of others
4	Patient Groups Fill the Void ORS 475.309 (1) A person engaged in or assisting in the medical use of marijuana is excepted from the criminal laws of the state for possession, delivery or production of marijuana… if… (a) The person holds a registry identification card. 1998-2003: Patients in need contact Oregon NORML looking for access to medicine Oregon NORML travels across the state delivering medicine and starts to patients
5	Meetings aren’t “public” ORS 475.316 (1) No person shall be excepted from the criminal laws of this state… if [the person]…(b) Engages in the medical use of marijuana in a public place… or in public view ORS 161.015 (10) “Public place” means a place to which the general public has access… Oregon Patients may not medicate “in a public place” or “in public view” A “public place” is a place the public can access Oregon NORML Legal Director, Attorney Paul Loney, determines a closed-door meeting is not a “public place”
6	Cardholder Meetings Begin Jan 2004, 2^nd Saturday Meetings begin Originally open to all OMMP cardholders A few cuttings 100 medical cannabis joints Fifteen cardholders at first, gained attendance each meeting
7	Meetings Grow Beyond Capacity Soon meetings grow to over 300 patients Up to 250 cuttings and 300 grams donated through Oregon NORML Patients and growers also bring excess to share with others.
8	Meetings Go Members-Only High demand meant some Oregon NORML members were left outside due to space limitations Meetings become members-only in July of 2006 to reduce attendance Attendance explodes with up to 60 new members per month
9	Attendees are Registered Attendees IDs and OMMP Cards double-checked Attendees sign legal release No marijuana sales or other commerce allowed Visits by police without incident
10	Adherence to State Law ORS 475.320 (1)(a) A registry identification cardholder… may possess up to six mature marijuana plants and 24 ounces of usable marijuana [and]… (4)(a) …up to 18 marijuana seedlings or starts… Patients may possess up to 24 ounces and 24 plants each Enough Oregon NORML volunteers are cardholders so no possession limits are violated
11	Patient Networking at Meetings Creating new caregiver relationships Exchanging grow advice Becoming politically aware and active Socializing and enjoying live music Empowerment of seeing hundreds of patients sharing
12	Community Organization at Meetings Letter-writing campaigns Education and news on cannabis laws and civil rights Recruitment of talented volunteers Mobilizing campaigns on candidates and initiatives
13	Freeing the Medicine Meetings have spread to two more Oregon NORML chapters Rhode Island activists are using this system Portland meeting expanding to twice per month in 2008 Donations continue to increase as earlier attendees give back from the seedlings they took from first meeting
14	Future Considerations Oregon NORML remains dedicated to providing free medicine to patients through “safe access to excess” and organizing the community to political action in defense of the OMMA, toward the ultimate goal of ending all adult marijuana prohibition. Expanding chapters throughout Oregon Leasing own buildings to expand services Patient – Caregiver referral system and Code of Conduct Debuting OMMP 101 classes in Jan 2008