Editorial - Despite the jokes it's bound to elicit, the Oregon Legislature clearly needs a "joint" committee to deal with numerous issues headed for lawmakers in the wake of voters' approval of recreational marijuana.
Top on the list will be the taxes that local governments have passed, despite Measure 91's explicit language prohibiting them. Dozens of cities and counties approved taxes ranging up to 40 percent, in hopes they would be grandfathered because they were passed before voters said yes to the complex provisions of the ballot measure.
Advocates for the taxes say local governments will need the proceeds to pay for needed services related to legal pot, while those who wrote the measure fear high taxes could make prices for legal weed too high, encouraging people to buy on the black market.
Local governments also will need to know if they can opt out of allowing recreational marijuana to be sold within their borders. The measure provides for an opt-out only by a vote of the people in a general election. But licenses may be issued as early as January 2016, with legal sales slated to begin that summer. That's months before the next general election in November 2016.
The measure gives the Oregon Liquor Control Commission the responsibility to determine the rules that will govern recreational marijuana sales, but the Legislature is likely to hear from those who want strict controls on food and drink that contain marijuana. Problems in Colorado have shown risks for adults and children. Some think better labeling, which includes the amount of psychoactive ingredient included, could help mitigate the challenges.
Central Oregon law enforcement officials told Bulletin reporter Claire Withycombe they are worried about intoxicated driving, trafficking, large-scale growing operations and youth use. More time and money, not less, will be required to deal with these issues, they said. Sheriffs, police and district attorneys statewide opposed Measure 91, and their concerns could also lead to legislative proposals.
We urge legislative leaders to form a special House-Senate committee and encourage its members to become expert in the issues related to marijuana legalization. That committee could coordinate many of the marijuana-related concerns heading to lawmakers, helping to smooth implementation of this complex new initiative.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Bend & Central Oregon Local News, Sports, Weather, and Lifestyle
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Editorial: Legislature needs House-Senate committee on marijuana;
Top on the list will be the taxes that local governments have passed, despite Measure 91's explicit language prohibiting them. Dozens of cities and counties approved taxes ranging up to 40 percent, in hopes they would be grandfathered because they were passed before voters said yes to the complex provisions of the ballot measure.
Advocates for the taxes say local governments will need the proceeds to pay for needed services related to legal pot, while those who wrote the measure fear high taxes could make prices for legal weed too high, encouraging people to buy on the black market.
Local governments also will need to know if they can opt out of allowing recreational marijuana to be sold within their borders. The measure provides for an opt-out only by a vote of the people in a general election. But licenses may be issued as early as January 2016, with legal sales slated to begin that summer. That's months before the next general election in November 2016.
The measure gives the Oregon Liquor Control Commission the responsibility to determine the rules that will govern recreational marijuana sales, but the Legislature is likely to hear from those who want strict controls on food and drink that contain marijuana. Problems in Colorado have shown risks for adults and children. Some think better labeling, which includes the amount of psychoactive ingredient included, could help mitigate the challenges.
Central Oregon law enforcement officials told Bulletin reporter Claire Withycombe they are worried about intoxicated driving, trafficking, large-scale growing operations and youth use. More time and money, not less, will be required to deal with these issues, they said. Sheriffs, police and district attorneys statewide opposed Measure 91, and their concerns could also lead to legislative proposals.
We urge legislative leaders to form a special House-Senate committee and encourage its members to become expert in the issues related to marijuana legalization. That committee could coordinate many of the marijuana-related concerns heading to lawmakers, helping to smooth implementation of this complex new initiative.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Bend & Central Oregon Local News, Sports, Weather, and Lifestyle
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Editorial: Legislature needs House-Senate committee on marijuana;
