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Buckley Supports Marijuana Legalization
Posted by CN Staff on September 18, 2012 at 16:43:01 PT
By Damian Mann, Mail Tribune
Source: Mail Tribune
Oregon -- State Rep. Peter Buckley has thrown his support behind Measure 80, an initiative that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana consumed by adults."Overall, legalization would take the black market out of Oregon," said Buckley, D-Ashland, who has served as co-chairman of the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee for the past two sessions. He said he supports regulating marijuana in a manner similar to the regulation of alcohol under the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
Under current laws, he said, medical marijuana has too many legal loopholes that have frustrated law enforcement and left the door open for abuse."I do think it's a problem with some medical marijuana growers," he said. "They've gotten greedy."Oregon voters will decide this November on the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, a citizen's initiative campaign to regulate cannabis and encourage production of hemp.According to the YES on 80 campaign, legalizing marijuana could save $60 million annually in law enforcement costs, while taxing it could bring in an extra $140 million. Under the proposal, marijuana would be purchased through state-run stores.Buckley, who said he's not a marijuana user and doesn't have a medical marijuana card, said the federal government likely would question Oregon's authority to legalize the drug if voters pass the measure, but he thinks that if enough states pass similar initiatives it could change the national debate."Hopefully, the federal government will see the light," he said.The new law will provide a clearer legal distinction for law enforcement in how to prosecute anyone furnishing marijuana to minors, Buckley said. The law still would make it illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana or to use it in public places.Roy Kaufmann, spokesman for the YES on 80 campaign, said the law could add to Oregon's image as a tourist destination, similar to the effect of the Oregon wine and beer industry.Also, the initiative would create another growth industry in the state, he said. "Agricultural hemp will dwarf the marijuana market within a decade," Kaufmann predicted.Other states, including Washington and Colorado, may take up similar initiatives to legalizing marijuana. If enough states support legalization, Kaufmann said, "It would really force the federal government's hand on this issue."He said the marijuana law has been written in a way to stand up to federal scrutiny.Kaufmann said the prohibition of marijuana has been a failure in this country.State Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, said Oregon's medical marijuana laws are "grossly abused," but said he has too many questions about Measure 80 to support it."I am very much troubled by the current medical marijuana law," said Richardson, who served as a co-chairman with Buckley on the Ways and Means Committee. "It is basically legalization through a back-door approach."He said the right to smoke pot is now being advertised as a simple matter of spending $100 to find the right doctor.Richardson said he doesn't support legalizing marijuana. But he said the state needs to have a rational debate about whether it wants to legalize cannabis or take a different approach and crack down on violations.He said Measure 80 will at least get voters talking about medical marijuana laws, though he doubts the voters in his fairly conservative district would support the initiative.While Measure 80 would raise tax dollars, Richardson said he's reluctant to create a new state bureaucracy to keep track of the process.He said he's also concerned about creating another "sin tax," in addition to the dollars the state already collects through gambling, cigarettes and alcohol.Richardson, who doesn't have a medical marijuana card, said he would consider using marijuana if he had a serious medical condition.Source: Mail Tribune, The (Medford, OR)Author: Damian Mann, Mail TribunePublished: September 18, 2012Copyright: 2012 The Mail TribuneContact: letters mailtribune.comWebsite: http://www.mailtribune.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/leiIpJWFCannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on September 22, 2012 at 21:29:29 PT
Ventilator?
Oh no. That's not good. I'm so sorry.In the country? Obviously a lot has happened since we last talked much.It's good to see you though. 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 22, 2012 at 05:39:13 PT
fight_4_freedom
I am so sorry about your Mother being on a ventilator. God Bless You! I know how great it is to have internet access in the country. Now Verizon is pushing us to get on the 4G Network. I don't mind but they have a data cap and that worries me since I am on an old Alltel unlimited plan and was grandfathered in. They are throttling us now starting at 2GB of use so we give in and sign a new contract.
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Comment #4 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 21, 2012 at 22:10:05 PT
Thanks guys
I can always count on my dedicated ladies to be here when I need to get something off my chest. You will be hearing a lot more from me as I took a leave of absence from work due to my mother going onto a ventilator. Not only that, but FINALLLLLy we have internet access out here in the country. A lot of big things going on in MI that I would love to discuss. Going to be an interesting election as always.Miss you two as well. All of you in fact, even though most of you i feel like i know you better than you know me because you are all so thorough with your texts. But I love all the comments here at C-News.Hope tomorrow is another bright and sunny day!
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on September 19, 2012 at 17:12:14 PT
fight_4_freedom 
I agree with Hope. It is really great to see you!
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on September 19, 2012 at 10:15:33 PT
fight_4_freedom!
Good to see you and good to know you're still fighting the good fight. Looking forward to seeing you posting again!
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Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on September 19, 2012 at 09:13:44 PT
Sensible Politicians
I miss and love you all! Thank you for continuing the fight against the evil opposition that we must destroy completely and smother with truth and justice.I'll be posting a lot more. Still doing my part here in the Great Lake State. But I still need to do a lot more. You are all an inspiration to me!God Bless. Fight For Freedom Forever!
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