Pubdate: Mon, 19 Jan 2015
Source: Bulletin, The (Bend, OR)
Copyright: 2015 Western Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.bendbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/62
Author: Taylor W. Anderson

OREGON LAWMAKERS BUSY FILING MARIJUANA BILLS

SALEM - Oregon legislators filed more than a dozen marijuana-related 
bills last week, giving early insight into how they'll tinker with a 
new law that will legalize recreational marijuana starting this July.

The proposals show what lawmakers may do now that Oregon is the 
nation's fourth state to take on regulation of the federally banned drug.

Measures filed would prevent marijuana from being grown or sold near 
schools, would require labeling at marijuana shops and require the 
state to study pot taxation.

House Bill 2147 would order the Department of Revenue to create a 
report on the best way to tax pot sales. The bill would give the 
department until Sept. 15 of this year, months before the state will 
start licensing recreational retailers in 2016, to deliver the report.

Another bill, by Rep. John Lively, D-Springfield, would limit a 
physician to approving medical marijuana cards for no more than 450 patients.

Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, D-Gresham, is chief sponsor of Senate 
Bill 445, which would require a posted notice at marijuana retail 
shops to warn of "the harmful effects of marijuana on pregnant women 
.. and the potential for marijuana to cause birth defects."

A similar law is in effect in Washington, where stores must give 
notice that marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or 
breast-feeding, said Brian Smith, spokesman for the Washington liquor 
board, which regulates marijuana there. The notice in Washington says 
nothing about birth defects.

A bill by Rep. Julie Parrish, R-West Linn, would prevent the Office 
of Child Care from certifying child care facilities and giving them 
state funds when regular employees at the facility possesses a 
medical marijuana card.

Two more bills by Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, and his wife, 
Rep. Gail Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, would create a 1,000-foot buffer 
zone between schools and marijuana dispensaries.

The Legislature's involvement in marijuana is just getting started. 
Geoff Sugerman, a lobbyist with clients in the industry, said he's 
already tracking more than two dozen marijuana-related proposals.

Ballot Measure 91 directed the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to 
regulate marijuana licenses and sales, but lawmakers will have a big 
hand in what the law looks like when the OLCC starts issuing licenses.

Anthony Johnson, director of New Approach Oregon, the chief proponent 
of Measure 91, said in a written answer to questions that the 
Legislature should "get the basics right" first, before addressing 
other issues.

"Measure 91 is a well-written law that's flexible enough to be 
changed as needed," he said, adding the state should focus on 
labeling, testing and childproofing "before adding in a bunch of 
last-minute changes that could disrupt the implementation process."

Lawmakers in early meetings showed their views differ on the state's 
role in marijuana regulation. Some were dismayed that voters passed 
the measure, others thought the state could do a good job of 
regulating marijuana if it was regulated like alcohol.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom