Pubdate: Tue, 27 Dec 2005
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Copyright: 2005 The Register-Guard
Contact:  http://www.registerguard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362
Author: Brad Cain, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

NEW YEAR'S LAWS GIVE PATIENTS MORE POT

SALEM - Holders of medical marijuana cards in Oregon now will be
allowed to have up to 1 1/2 pounds of dried marijuana and six mature
plants under a new state law that takes effect Jan. 1.

The increased possession limit, part of an effort to clear up
ambiguities in the state's 1998 medical marijuana program, was among
the hundreds of new laws approved by the 2005 Oregon
Legislature.

Other new laws taking effect New Year's Day include ones to stiffen
high school graduation requirements, require seat belt use in taxis
and shuttle vans and require the Oregon State Police to create a Web
site with a list of high-risk sex offenders.

One of the co-sponsors of the new medical marijuana law, state Sen.
Bill Morrisette, said it's aimed at putting the program "on more
solid footing" by making it easier for police to interpret the law
and harder for criminals to exploit it.

'It protects these patients and plugs some of the loopholes law
enforcement people were worried about," the Springfield Democrat said.

The change also has been endorsed by Stormy Ray, a multiple sclerosis
patient who was a leading spokeswoman for the 1998 ballot measure
authorizing medical marijuana. She says the new law will ensure that
she can obtain enough marijuana, which she says helps ease her pain
and helps her sleep at night.

"It's a wonderful day for cardholders," said Ray, who is one of
12,000 Oregonians who hold state registration cards authorizing them
to use medical marijuana.

Current law permits cardholders and caregivers - people who grow
marijuana for cardholders who can't or don't want to grow their own -
to grow three mature and four immature plants and to possess up to 3
ounces of dried marijuana.

Under the law taking effect Jan. 1, cardholders will be allowed to
grow up to six mature plants and 18 seedlings and possess 24 ounces of
dried marijuana.

However, in exchange for the increased possession limits, the
Legislature approved a provision sought by police saying that patients
and caregivers can no longer argue in court that having more than the
specified amounts is a medical necessity and therefore permissible
under the law.

Also, caregivers will be limited to growing plants for no more than
four patients per year.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake