New Ground Broken by Oregon Agricultural Show Growers Look to Product's Potential As Cash Crop This week Nathan Martinez's family will head to the Oregon state fair to view the prizewinning plants he has hydroponically grown and lovingly cultivated: both the sativa super sour diesel and the indica granddaddy purple. Oregon legalised the recreational use of cannabis by over-21s two years ago For the first time, the fair, one of the country's most family-friendly traditions - synonymous with the tilt-a-whirl, funnel cake and blue ribbon pigs - is to feature marijuana plants. [continues 691 words]
On the same day lawmakers debated the future of the state's Medical Marijuana Act, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that county sheriffs can't deny medical marijuana users concealed handgun permits. Attorney Leland Berger, who represented the medical marijuana users at the court, testified Thursday. He told lawmakers their proposed changes to the act should be reconsidered. "Please kill this bill," he said. "This is a bill that shouldn't go anywhere." House Bill 3664 would give Oregon State Police a database of medical marijuana growers. It also would limit the number of people growers can provide medical cannabis to, from four to two. Voters created the medical marijuana program in 1998. There are two newly established cannabis clubs in Bend, the Central Oregon Alternative Therapy Club and the Herb Center. [end]
