Activists Say Oregon Medical Marijuana Act is Under Attack

Jim Finnel

Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Medical marijuana activists in Oregon are at the state capitol this week opposing SB 388 that would increase police scrutiny of sick people and create more obstacles for those who legally use cannabis for healthcare.

Michael Bachara from The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, says advocates are talking about the Human Services and Rural Health Policy.

Bachara says it is a critical time to push for the rights of sick people who use medical marijuana.

"We need to let our representatives know that we oppose this bill. It would allow law enforcement to inspect our gardens at any time and create even more hoops to jump through and more paperwork that would be a burden not only to the state but also to medical marijuana patients, caregivers and growers throughout the state," said Anna Diaz of Oregon NORML (National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws).

Another matter currently at hand is supported by over 1200 Oregon NORML members. That is Senate Bill 388-1, or the "Dash-1" amendment to this bill.

This amendment would allow patients to reimburse a registered cardholder for production costs of medicine, not just their caregiver/grower of record.

The way the law is written now, patients can only reimburse their registered caregiver/grower for supplies and utilities, which makes it difficult to get help from others in the community, according to Madeline Martinez, Executive Director of Oregon NORML.

"This change would make it feasible for growers and caregivers to help more patients and make medicine more available to patients who have trouble growing their own," Martinez said.

The “Dash 1” amendment would have a huge effect on access to medicine for the immediate needs of patients recently diagnosed with cancer and facing chemo therapy, who don’t have the luxury of time to wait for medicine, and to the many patients who cannot "grow their own" due to housing or medical disabilities.


Here is the exact language of the proposed amendment:

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILL 388

1. On page 5 of the printed bill, line 6, delete "the cardholder" and,

2. insert "a cardholder".

3. In line 7, delete "the cost of supplies and utilities" and,

4. insert "time and materials".

5. In line 8, after "marijuana" insert a period and,

6. delete the rest of the line and lines 9 and 10.

The meeting at Oregon's capitol was carried over from Monday. On the agenda is a matter involving the allowance of medical marijuana cardholders to possess certain amounts of hashish and food and tincture that incorporate marijuana or hashish.

"Each of us has one small voice, but together we are a giant roar that can shake the hall of the State Capitol!" -NORML.


News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Salem-News.com
Copyright: 2009 Salem-News.com
Contact: newsroom@salem-news.com
Website: Activists Say Oregon Medical Marijuana Act is Under Attack - Salem-News.Com
 
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