Pubdate: Wed, 02 Dec 2009
Source: Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)
Copyright: 2009 Statesman Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/QEzJupzz
Website: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/427
Author: James Hickam

MEDICAL POT PROGRAM CRITIC IS OUT OF LINE

Why is Kevin Mannix worried about the Oregon Medical  Marijuana
Program? He stated, "Legislative policy  makers need to ... look at
where we are headed."

In 2005, HB5077 took the $900,000 surplus generated by  the OMMP and
distributed it to the general fund. This  year, SB581 took another
$168,286. This indicates that  policymakers have already decided where
they are  headed. The OMMP provides new and innovative ways to
generate the money this state needs.

If Mr. Mannix is really interested in fighting crime,  tax and
regulate cannabis for all adults over the age  of 21. Remove the
Schedule 1 classification for  marijuana that is higher than
methamphetamine and  heroin. Start sending the criminals to jail who
commit  violent crimes. "In 2007, 872,721 were arrested for  marijuana
in the United States while only 597,447 were  arrested for violent
crime?" Is this not a waste of  resources?

Neighbors and local police have no problems with the  new Oregon NORML
Cannabis Cafe. With over 24,000  patients in Oregon, places are needed
to meet socially  and receive medication donated by other patients.
Until  the State of Oregon has a program to distribute our  medicine,
we are doing the best we can to supply our  patients with legal medication.

James Hickam,  executive director of Oregon NORML, Salem Chapter,
Salem 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D