Pubdate: Tue, 17 Mar 2009
Source: Hillsboro Argus, The (OR)
Copyright: 2009 The Hillsboro Argus
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/argus/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3523
Author: W. Clark Gallagher
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?161 (Cannabis - Regulation)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

UP IN SMOKE

We're sure desperate times call for desperate measures. "Hey man, how 
'bout a turbo-supercharger hit of revenue?" That's probably what the 
Oregon Legislature is thinking. Since Oregonians have approved the 
medical marijuana law - to heck with regulating it. Go for the money. 
Let's grow it. Sell it. And here's the part they all love. Tax it.

Behold House Bill 3247. It takes the simple cottage industry of drug 
dealing to a new level. Under the guise of "providing adequate 
safeguards for citizens" and "moving quickly to protect patient 
safety," the bill puts Oregon in the pot business. The state would 
establish and operate a marijuana production facility. Then 
distribute their stash to pharmacies. Of course, there will be a $98 
per ounce tax on it.

"What's da matter man? Don't you wanna get high?" Well, no. We doubt 
the amount of medical marijuana distributed will pay for the farm and 
all the bureaucratic baggage. "If passed into law, this legislation 
will implement safe standards to dispense the drug through a tightly 
controlled system." That'll cost a bunch - and then there's the 
matter of security. You can bet it'll be a 24/7 affair.

But maybe we aren't looking at this correctly. If the state 
established a standard for pot, maybe some commercial opportunity 
would present itself. After all, we're coming up on a biennium budget 
bust. Our motor home industries are on the ropes. We could 
manufacture "recreational vehicles" for special resale values. Or 
just blatantly establish a "gold" standard for grass. Lord knows 
Oregon is famous for growing grass.

However, we are dealing with the government here. And there are 
reasons we wouldn't drink a government beer. It would probably be 
lousy. "Seeds and stems again, man." We compare this pipe dream based 
on a "safer and more secure environment" to reefer madness. Send it up in smoke.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom