Pubdate: Wed, 30 Sep 2015
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Copyright: 2015 The Register-Guard
Contact: http://www.registerguard.com/web/opinion/#contribute-a-letter
Website: http://www.registerguard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362
Author: Elon Glucklich

LEGAL MARIJUANA SALES START AT MIDNIGHT IN LANE COUNTY AND STATEWIDE

The clock is ticking.

At the stroke of midnight, anyone 21 years and older will be able to 
buy marijuana from a licensed Oregon dispensary, as the state lifts 
the curtain on recreational pot sales.

The ground-breaking shift in drug policy stems from the passage of 
Oregon Measure 91 in 2014, and a law passed by the state Legislature 
this year giving medical marijuana dispensaries the green light to 
sell to all adults Oct. 1.

Though the law takes effect at midnight, it's unclear which of Lane 
County's 30-plus dispensaries, if any, will open their doors right at midnight.

But at least 26 have state approval to start selling Thursday, 
including 14 in Eugene, five in Springfield and four in Cottage 
Grove. Shoppers will be able to buy up to one-quarter ounce of 
marijuana leaves from a dispensary each day.

At least one Eugene dispensary plans to open its doors at 12:01 a.m. 
Thursday, the absolute earliest shops can sell recreational pot. The 
People's Wellness Center, on Centennial Loop near Lithia Chrysler 
Jeep Dodge of Eugene, will open just after midnight, owner Bill Whitlock said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom