Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jul 2015 Source: Portland Tribune (OR) Copyright: 2015 Pamplin Media Group Contact: http://www.portlandtribune.com/forms/letters_form.php Website: http://www.portlandtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2056 Author: Ann Lininger Note: Ann Lininger represents House District 38, including Lake Oswego and Southwest Portland, in the Oregon Legislature. Lininger, who previously was a Clackamas County commissioner, lives in Lake Oswego with her husband and children. LEGAL POT LETS STATE CULTIVATE NEW BUSINESS Late last month, state Rep. Andy Olson, Rep. Carl Wilson and I brought two cannabis bills to a vote in the Oregon House: House Bill 3400 helps implement voters' decision to legalize adult use of cannabis; House Bill 2041 levies the tax on this product at the point of retail sale. Both bills passed by strong margins that reflect the bipartisan teamwork to support legalization. Effective since July 1, Oregonians over the age of 21 may legally grow, possess and consume limited amounts of cannabis. Whatever position you took on Ballot Measure 91 - the November 2014 ballot measure legalizing responsible adult use - this is a big transition for Oregon. It is a big opportunity, too. Oregon's cannabis market has an estimated annual value of around $1 billion. Some believe legal cannabis will be our state's most valuable agricultural product. As we move toward legalization nationwide - voters in five more states are expected to consider the issue in 2016 - Oregon businesses could enjoy significant sales opportunities. As co-chair of the Oregon Legislature's Joint Committee to Implement Measure 91, I have worked with a strong team of lawmakers and community members to craft legislation that will help legal businesses to thrive, reduce illegal activity and protect families and communities. We submitted a package of five bills to the Legislature. Here are some of the key provisions: The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will be the primary state agency in charge of adult-use cannabis sales. New product testing standards will protect consumers from contaminants and help people know the potency of what they consume. Labeling and packaging rules will require child-resistant packaging and prevent marketing to children. Tracking requirements will discourage diversion of product into the illegal market. Local communities may choose to prohibit some kinds of cannabis businesses. If they take that path, they will not be eligible for cannabis tax revenue. Local governments may allow recreational sales to begin starting in October 2015. Reclassification of some cannabis-related crimes and new expunction opportunities will help people get past convictions for conduct that is no longer illegal. A public education effort will help prevent cannabis use by young people. An environmental task force will track water and energy use by growers and suggest steps to encourage careful use of these resources. As Oregon ends prohibition of cannabis and begins regulating it instead, we will likely need to make more adjustments in our laws. Fortunately, the strong teamwork we established this session in the Joint Committee to Implement Measure 91 will help us as we proceed. I hope you will keep me posted on how legalization is going in our community and any steps you think we should take moving forward. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom