cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Changes Among New Jan. 1 Laws





Medical Marijuana Changes Among New Jan. 1 Laws
Posted by CN Staff on December 26, 2005 at 15:49:55 PT
By Brad Cain, Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
Salem, Ore. -- Holders of medical marijuana cards in Oregon now will be allowed to have up to 1 1/2 pounds of dried marijuana and six mature plants under a new state law that takes effect Jan. 1.The increased possession limit, part of an effort to clear up ambiguities in the state's 1998 medical marijuana program, was among the hundreds of new laws approved by the 2005 Oregon Legislature.
Other new laws taking effect New Year's Day include ones to stiffen high school graduation requirements, require seat belt use in taxis and shuttle vans and require the Oregon State Police to create a Web site with a list of high-risk sex offenders.One of the co-sponsors of the new medical marijuana law, state Sen. Bill Morrisette, said it's aimed at putting the program "on more solid footing" by making it easier for police to interpret the law and harder for criminals to exploit it."It protects these patients and plugs some of the loopholes law enforcement people were worried about," the Springfield Democrat said.The change also has been endorsed by Stormy Ray, a multiple sclerosis patient who was a leading spokeswoman for the 1998 ballot measure authorizing medical marijuana. She says the new law will ensure that she can obtain enough marijuana, which she says helps ease her pain and helps her sleep at night."It's a wonderful day for cardholders," said Ray, who is one of 12,000 Oregonians who hold state registration cards authorizing them to use medical marijuana.Current law permits cardholders and caregivers — people who grow marijuana for cardholders who can't or don't want to grow their own — to grow three mature and four immature plants and to possess up to three ounces of dried marijuana.Under the law taking effect Jan. 1, cardholders will be allowed to grow up to six mature plants and 18 seedlings and possess 24 ounces of dried marijuana.However, in exchange for the increased possession limits, the Legislature approved a provision sought by police saying that patients and caregivers can no longer argue in court that having more than the specified amounts is a medical necessity and therefore permissible. Also, caregivers will be limited to growing plants for no more than four patients per year.Note: Non related portion of article removed. Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Brad Cain, Associated PressPublished: December 26, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press Related Article & Web Site:Stormy Rayhttp://www.stormyray.org/MMJ: The Inner View with Stormy Rayhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21165.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #12 posted by runruff on December 28, 2005 at 13:22:41 PT:
Hello Max.
The loophole works like this. We here in Oregon can have 24 ozs. of processed herb. While it is still on the vine it is not considered "processed" yet. Some folks around here have produced 2 lb. plants. Hang them up in a cool dry place after they are dryed and take what you want off the plant as you go. This way one can keep as much as 12 lbs. on hand at a time and this is legal. Just don't manicure and bag it all up at once. Do you understand how that works? Everyone does it this way.Namaste
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Comment #11 posted by Max Flowers on December 28, 2005 at 10:18:20 PT
The folly of small plant numbers
The thing that's funny about saying "you can only have six mature plants" is that a lot of growers will be immediately thinking (but not saying!) "that's fine---I will just veg (grow vegetatively) my six plants for 8 weeks and have each under its own 1000-watt light and I will get even more than I would have if I had grown 30 plants." If the "authorities" were to come in and see six monster hedges getting ready to yield at least a pound each, the grower can easily say, "wow, I don't know what happened; I must have done something right, I don't know how they got that BIG!!" and still not be in trouble. They would have to give up most of that yield, sadly, but by law there would be no major legal repercussion. He was within plant number guidelines. Things get more dicey once one has harvested because then it starts to get clearer how much the yield might be. Once it dries, the liability is really starting to come in, but even at that point, a grower could still shrug his shoulders and say "I didn't mean to grow so much---what do I do, throw the excess away? I was within plant number limits!" If he gets to the point of drying it all with no problems, then he just has to get the other 4.5 lbs out of the house so it won't be a liability. 
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Comment #10 posted by OverwhelmSam on December 27, 2005 at 16:23:47 PT
Good To See Oregan Setting The Example
I think this state is setting a good example for the other states to follow. Perhaps the good folks in this state realize that the US government denies employment, education and driving priviledges and then turns around and calls us lazy. Cruelty for certain. 
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Comment #9 posted by mayan on December 27, 2005 at 05:04:53 PT
Munchies
Machinery Of The 'Marijuana Munchies':
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051226102503.htmThe impeachment poll is still up and still at 85% with 162,397 responses! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10562904#survey
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on December 26, 2005 at 22:30:40 PT
Hope
It seems like you had a really good time too. We aren't doing anything on New Years Eve but watch TV and get to see Dick Clark for the first time since he had a stroke. I'm calling it a day. I am so tired tonight my mind is running slow. I think it's because Christmas is over and we all can relax a bit.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on December 26, 2005 at 22:01:10 PT
FoM
I'm so glad it's been a good time for you this season. You certainly deserve it if anyone does.
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on December 26, 2005 at 21:59:00 PT
Did and am
having a sweet holiday season. I so much hope that all my CannabisNews friends are, too.The weather here has been wonderful the past couple or three days. The sun is shining. The breezes are soft and gentle and warm. Only one remark was made by any family member this year about my activities related to marijuana law reform and it wasn't really mean or hateful. It was meant to tease or make fun of me a bit, but it didn't offend me...although things were quiet for an uncomfortably extended period after the statement was made. I don't even remember what it was exactly. My brothers and a bunch more of us were smoking good cigars my brother always has and someone remarked about me doing something, it was good, I think...don't remember what...with,"...a joint in one hand and a Bible in the other." The speaker never saw me with a joint in my hand, ever, but apparently couldn't resist making the remark. I broke the uncomfortable silence that followed by saying, "Well, I don't have a joint in my hand...but I do have a mighty fine cigar that would probably make a fine blunt." They laughed and the conversation went on. We aren't quitting or giving up...ever...and I think everyone knows it and they are definitely getting used to and more comfortable with the idea of ending prohibition.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on December 26, 2005 at 21:57:17 PT
Hope
I know what you mean about being busy. It's a time of gatherings for many. Some people really enjoy Christmas and some can't stand it. I love Thanksgiving because it is a holiday that I think about all the good things that happened during that year. I have always been able to find at least one thing to be grateful for. After we get back to normal and writers start writing and issues surface we will get going again. PS: It was an amazing evening for us. A few really funny things happened that night too. I sure won't forget it.
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Comment #4 posted by Hope on December 26, 2005 at 21:36:11 PT
You guys
have been on my mind even though I have had precious little to no time at the computer with all the holiday activity. I read in another thread about your Christmas Eve evening, FoM. Sounded like a lovely evening and good time for you. So glad to hear it.The CannabisNews family is a phenomenon of these modern times. I'm grateful to be a part of it. God help us to end the injustice inflicted upon so many people and the earth, because of cannabis prohibition.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 26, 2005 at 20:07:28 PT
Hope
It's good to see you. I hope you had a Merry Christmas. I think most people are enjoying the holidays and are taking a break. The news is very slow. It always is slow this time of year. Hopefully it will pick up after the new year.
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on December 26, 2005 at 19:48:55 PT
Hey...
Just checking in. I'm fine, I hope everyone else is.
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Comment #1 posted by ekim on December 26, 2005 at 19:10:22 PT
Book Howard for Rotarys -- Have him lobby your Rep
Dec 27 05 Pacifica Radio: KPFT, 90.1 FM, "4:20 News" 04:20 PM Howard Wooldridge Houston Texas USA 
 Board Member Howard Wooldridge is a phone in guest to "4:20 News" on Pacifica Radio: KPFT, 90.1 FM, Houston, Texas. Howard will be giving a report from his Washington, DC headquarters as he begins his new effort as Drug Policy Educator to elected officials in the US Capital. 
http://www.leap.cc/events
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