Pubdate: Sat, 11 Jun 2011
Source: Albany Democrat-Herald (OR)
Copyright: 2011 Lee Enterprises
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/HPOp5PfB
Website: http://www.democratherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/7
Author: Alex Paul
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

'A SAFE PLACE FOR MARIJUANA PATIENTS TO MEET'

Sheri Levit is emphatic that the Linn-Benton Oregon Medical Marijuana 
Program Patient Resource Center is not a "pot parlor" where seedy 
characters sit in dark corners huffing on marijuana-filled pipes.

That's exactly what Levit, the center's executive director, and her 
partner in the project, Kathy Srp, don't want for Oregonians who hold 
medical marijuana cards.

"We are a safe place for people to meet and get educated about the 
medical benefits of cannabis," Levit said, responding to what she 
believes has been negative press. "Would you want your grandmother to 
have to get her medicine on the black market?"

The center, which opened in April, is in a small office in a light 
industrial building on Ehlen Drive near the intersection of Oakville 
Road and Highway 34. It is open to non-members from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Monday and Tuesday. Levit says that is when non-members can learn 
about the center and the uses of cannabis for medical purposes.

Levit, 41, said she has promoted the healing benefits of cannabis for 
more than 20 years, mostly in the Portland area, with "friends and 
family who are like-minded. There has been a void between Portland and Eugene."

Levit said the center has 100 members, more than half at least 50 
years old and 25 percent 75 or older. The center is a place where 
marijuana card holders can contact legal medical marijuana growers. 
Dues are $35 a year.

"We hold monthly meetings to educate people about legislative issues, 
safety and cannabis in the news," Levit said.

The center does not sell marijuana, she stressed. One of its goals is 
to teach people about the healing benefits of cannabis without 
smoking it because, she says, smoke in any form is dangerous to one's 
health. But the center does give away salves and oils whose 
ingredients include healing cannabinoids that can be ingested or 
absorbed through the skin.

Levit said the center has "given away gallons" of liquid tincture, 
extracted cannabis that has been mixed with honey or glycerin. Club 
members produce the tinctures and donate them to the center for redistribution.

"We do not sell medications," Levit said. "We do not have a back room 
filled with marijuana. We would like to have a public community forum 
and invite our elected officials to hear testimonials from club members."

But it may be zoning - not public opinion - that is the center's more 
immediate threat.

Acting on a complaint, the Linn County Board of Commissioners asked 
the Planning and Building Department to determine whether operation 
of the center at its current location fits within zoning regulations.

A county inspector visited the center on Tuesday and the county sent 
notification that it does not fall within the Urban Development II 
parameters. Some types of allowed uses include implement dealerships, 
agricultural supplies, equipment repair and contracting yards.

"In order to bring the property into compliance with code, you must 
immediately cease the operation of the activity," the letter said.

Levit said she will fight any attempt to shut down the center.

"We are no different than any other club," Levit said.

"If they shut us down, they will need to shut down every other club 
that meets in light industrial buildings. We are pioneers in this 
area. We're needed and we're here to stay."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom