Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Source: Oregon Daily Emerald (U of Oregon, OR Edu)
Copyright: 2014 Oregon Daily Emerald
Contact:  http://www.dailyemerald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1518
Author: Victor Flores
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

CAMPAIGN QUALIFIES MARIJUANA REGULATION FOR OREGON'S NOVEMBER BALLOT

New Approach Oregon turned in at least 145,710 signatures to the 
Oregon Secretary of State Thursday morning, easily qualifying a 
measure to regulate marijuana on Oregon's November ballot. This 
measure will allow voters to decide on marijuana regulation, 
legalization and taxation.

"It's time to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on treating marijuana use 
as a crime," New Approach Oregon's press secretary Peter Zuckerman 
said in a press release. "Prohibition of marijuana is ineffective, 
costs the state tax revenue and fuels violence. It's time to try 
something new."

Six months ago today, regulated sales of marijuana in Colorado began. 
Colorado and Washington are the only two states that have legalized 
marijuana. Two years ago, Oregon voters defeated Ballot Measure 80, 
which would have legalized and regulated the sale and growth of 
marijuana in the state.

The proposal intends for eight ounces of marijuana at home and one in 
public to be legal in Oregon. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission 
would be in charge of regulating sales and distribution, and tax 
revenue would be divided among police, schools and drug prevention 
and mental health programs if the proposal materializes.

New Approach Oregon leaders said in a news conference Thursday that 
they hope to hear a decision on their proposal from the Secretary of 
State's office within the next three weeks. The office has over a 
month to vet the signatures.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom