Measure 80: yea or nay?
Green is a color that is very commonly associated with Oregon for more reasons than one. For one we are known for being environmentalists. But we are also infamously known for our allegedly high amount of marijuana users.
This November, Oregon voters have the opportunity to take some of the “infamy” out of marijuana with Measure 80, which would legalize its use and cultivation by adults.
I’m sure by now that you’ve heard to no end the positives the state would reap if such a law were passed, especially with it being a popular topic in speech and writing classes, but something you almost never seem to hear are some of the negatives.
An example of such would be in a study last year by the Society for Neuroscience revealed that use of marijuana by adolescents can lead to long-lasting effects on brain development. The research shows that people who start using marijuana at a young age have more cognitive shortfalls, such as difficulties on being attentive.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, but marijuana would still be illegal to be used by minors, right? My point is that with Measure 80 will be much more accessible to minors as a result, even if the use of marijuana may still be illegal for them. After all, how do minors get access to alcohol? Aside from the occasional fake I.D. user, someone who is not a minor will get it for them.
And if marijuana is legalized, potential smokers no longer have to look to their dealers to provide them with what they need, but can just go buy it from a store whenever if they have the cash. As such, marijuana use among minors may become that much more prevalent.
Though I obviously may have my issues with Measure 80, I’m not exactly against the idea either. The “war on drugs” is obviously not working. Decriminalizing possession and use of marijuana is a step in the right direction in that regard. We need the police spending chasing dangerous criminals, not pot-smokers.
In the end, while I don’t believe Measure 80 may be a bad thing for Oregon, as a journalist, I believe in a better-informed society. This measure most certainly will do some good, but you are lying to yourself if you think that that’s all it will do.
So whether you vote for or against this measure this November, make sure you understand all the consequences, good or bad.
Weed. Mary Jane. Pot, cannabis, ganja, grass, doobie and blunt. Aka marijuana.
These words may bring many different images and emotions; however, they may soon become synonymous with “legal.”
For those who may not have been following election news, Oregon has cannabis on the ballot with Measure 80, which would legalize its cultivation and use by adults 21 and older.
A quick drive down Sandy Boulevard shows that Oregonians have a high interest in this particular pasttime, with medical marijuana offices and dispensaries on almost every block.
Detractors have cited minors getting hold of it as a negative against the measure. Anyone who has gone through a public high school can attest to the anecdotal fact that minors can get their hands on marijuana regardless of its legal status.
Proponents look to the oft-lauded stoner Promised Land of Amsterdam, where the sale and use of marijuana is legal in special “coffee shops,” as long as it is sold in amounts that don’t exceed five grams and only to customers age 18 and older and that the shops don’t advertise or cause a nuisance.
The reason I’m in favor of passing Measure 80 is the regulation and the prospect of increased revenue for the state.
The measure, if passed, would create the Oregon Cannabis Commission (OCC), whose duties would include licensing qualified marijuana growers, processors and packagers, licensing stores to sell both regular and medical marijuana, setting retail prices, collecting license fees and regulating quantity and retailers, among other aspects of marijuana production and sales.
The money from the sales would first go to reimburse three different aspects of the fledgling industry: the OCC, the Attorney General’s office for the costs of enforcing and defending the measure’s actions, and a 15 percent return for the licensed retailers.
A nonpartisan fiscal review that appears in the Nov. 6 Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet estimates the state would expend approximately $22 million each year on the OCC – same as annual current liquor control costs.
However, the revenue brought in from the sale of marijuana would be distributed as follows: 90 percent to the state general fund, 7 percent to the Department of Human Resources to fund drug-treatment programs, 1 percent to fund a hemp committee for Oregon, 1 percent to promote biodiesel based on hemp and 1 percent to fund public school-sponsored drug education programs.
In other words, Measure 80 would turn marijuana into an equivalent for alcohol and tobacco. It will be heavily regulated by the state, illegal for minors and provide much-needed revenue for the state.
1. Marijuana Prohibition has not made cannabis less accessible, but more, for minors.
2. All your arguments could also be used towards alcohol prohibition, but I highly doubt that you, or the plethoric amount of hypocrites in this country, would want to see alcohol become illegal once more.
3. Every reliable scientific source has verified that Marijuana is less harmful than it’s legal counterparts: cigarettes and alcohol.
Nah We are going to pass it because its the right thing to do. i may be simple so i see simple and simply put we simple people want it legalized.
It is actually easier for minors to obtain marijuana than it is alcohol. Trying to argue that it will be as easy to get marijuana as alcohol is dumb because it is already easier to get marijuana. If alcohol is the example, there is a good chance that it will become harder for minors to obtain because other minors will be much less likely to be dealing it in schools.
I also don’t understand the fear that the “black market” for marijuana will become a wild beast. What’s better is to look at alcohol and how that changed after prohibition. During alcohol prohibition, it was actually being used very similarly to how marijuana is now, part of that being sold in schools by teenagers.
What many people are ignoring or just not realizing is that this measure will help prevent teenagers from dealing illegal drugs. Often times teenage drug dealers sell pot, and that often leads to selling other illegal substances. Legalize pot and get it out of the hands of drug lords who also sell meth, cocaine, etc. and you will help prevent teenagers from getting into that business as well.
Also, Mike: trust me, you can get pot in a private school. Not an issue.
According to SAMHSA surveys from before Nixon declared War on Marijuana 30% of High School Seniors had tried marijuana. Current data from the same survey shows that 50% of High School Seniors have tried marijuana: Epic policy fail!
I think adverse reactions for victims are very relevant!
Parents of teens killed in traffic accidents tell their stories
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55144399-78/teens-killed-worland-utah.html.csp
The Salt Lake Tribune – Oct 25 2012 12:25 am
She ran to him, saying “I need you to pull through.” But the boy had been fatally hit by a 19-year-old driver, who was high on marijuana. Collin died a year ago on Nov. 2, and there’s still a cloud over the Worland family’s lives, she said: “There’s the sense of happiness just disappearing…things just aren’t as they should be.”
Vote No on Measure 80
Wow, did you really take a story that was actually about a young boy walking to school in the dark in the morning and getting hit as he crossed the street NOT in a cross walk, by an inexperienced teenage driver, and say THIS is why we should vote “no” on Measure 80? Irony, since the article focuses on the importance of seat belts and safe driving, the comments section points out a person who knows the fatally injured child, who fully felt the accident resulted from it still being dark, due to the timing of rolling back the clocks for Daylight Savings towards the END of October instead of the beginning…when it used to be (although one commentator on the LTE that appeared at the time noted that an easy solution would be to retain DST and simply start school slightly later to avoid having children walking in the dark….http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=17816818amp;itype=storyID
Here are some tips:
Young, inexperienced drivers are far more likely to be involved in car accidents (this is why their insurance premiums are so much higher than other drivers).
Marijuana will show up on testing weeks after use – a driver who tested positive for marijuana DOES NOT INDICATE that the driver was impaired by marijuana, only that the driver had previously used marijuana – at some point in the last few weeks. Even tests done for “active-THC”, instead of metabolites, would NOT indicate that the driver was impaired at the time of the crash OR that the driver had used recent enough to impact driving ability whatsoever.
However, in the particular story in question, the FACTS indicate that the driver was NOT “high on marijuana.” The prosecutor ONLY found metabolites, not active THC:
“The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office screened possible felony charges for vehicular homicide and substance abuse, but found out that although the driver had metabolized THC in his system, he was not under the influence of marijuana. That means he smoked dope the night before, which illustrates that even after one is no longer high, THC can remain in one’s system. So the DA chose not to press charges, although the West Jordan city prosecutor has not ruled out possible misdemeanor charges.”
You can watch the news video at the link below:
http://voice-of-deseret.blogspot.com/2012/02/driver-who-struck-and-killed-13-year.html
The community at large, including the mother, have pushed for a crosswalk and a crossing guard at this intersection. Odd that they are focusing on the ACTUAL issues, and you are focused on some made up propaganda….
WHAT TO GO Jennifer!!!! Impactofreefermadness EPIC FAIL!!!!!
The really sad part is that there are probably actual stories of people who were in accidents while high on marijuana (people get in accidents when they are perfectly sober too – it wouldn’t be hard to find an ACTUAL story to fit your argument!) But Measure 80 continues to prohibit driving under the influence of marijuana – it makes NO changes to our current laws which already prohibit driving under the influence…
great point!!!!
omg how many have died from booze!!! or persription pills being under the influence how many have died due to texting and talking on the phone or how many have died because there to old to drive!!! c’mon it’s a scary world out there and nothing is perfect but by prohibiting cannabis like thats going to stop people from using it why are you just attacking cannabis while you drive and text and had a few xanax you hipocrite
No one has ever died from an overdose or adverse reaction to marijuana.
Vote YES on measure 80!
According to Dr. Kevin Sabet the financial benefits of marijuana legalization would never outweigh its social and health related costs. Promising everything from increased tax revenue and a cure for cancer, to a reduction of violence near the Mexican border and fewer criminal justice costs, legalization advocates have convinced almost half of America that their policy of choice is inevitable and desirable. But their arguments are high on hyperbole and low on facts. Rarely discussed are the potential downsides of such a policy, ranging from increased addiction to greater health and criminal justice costs. In fact, both of our already legal drugs—alcohol and tobacco—offer chilling illustrations of how an open market fuels greater harms. They are cheap and easy to obtain. Commercialization glamorizes their use and furthers their social acceptance. High profits make aggressive marketing worthwhile for sellers. Addiction is simply the price of doing business. Would marijuana use rise in a legal market for the drug? Admittedly, marijuana is not very difficult to obtain currently, but a legal market would make getting the drug that much easier. Tobacco and alcohol are used regularly by 30% and 65% of the population, respectively, while all illegal drugs combined are used by about 8% of Americans.
Why is Kevin A. Sabet Against the Legalization of Marijuana? http://loop21.com/politics/kevin-sabet-against-legalization-marijuana
Vote NO on Measure 80
my question to you is why do you care what I do to MY BODY!!!!!! as long as I’m not harming anyone else!!!! Why do you care if I die I don’t care if you do! Stay out of my home as long as it doesn’t effect you or others what I do In my home That is my god givin right!!!!!!!!
It certainly will flood out communities with more marijuana as Measure 80 leaves it:
UNREGULATED FOR THOSE OVER 21 YEARS OLD
M8O would allow anyone 21 to grow marijuana anywhere – in a vacant lot near a school yard or in a house next door to you. A user could grow football fields of marijuana without any restrictions for personal use. With Measure 80 kids will be able to get it free from the new black market that will be created by all those 21 years and over, who will be allowed to grow unlimited amounts of marijuana. You call this regulation, this is a new unregulated black market that will grow, sell, and undercut the government pot store prices, as well as sell to other states illegally.
In Oregon parents are allowed to provide their kids alcohol as long as they are in their own home. If Measure 80 passes, parents will be allowed to provide their kids pot inside their own home.
How else do you think kids get booze and cigarettes that are underage?
Black-market cigarettes costing NY $20M a month
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/burned_by_bootleg_smokes_IqtVTHYSTsWW6KcabOliRO
Vote NO on Measure 80!
I am a resident of Oregon and a young Adult. Growing up and all through high school, Marijuana being sold illegally was easier to obtain compared to finding someone who was 21 years old to purchase us alcohol. Marijuana was and still is every where being sold by a friend, neighbor, or someone at school. Doesn’t matter if your lower class, middle class, or high class citizens, its just as available if it were in stores. Lots of nights we couldn’t find someone 21 or older to buy us alcohol so we bought a bag of Marijuana because it was so easily obtainable. So no, its so going to be easier for kids to get because its already around us and I know MANY people who smoked Marijuana in high school or even after high school who either had fun with it or used it for other purposes who still succeed in life, go to college, and work hard. Also many people including myself did it for a while than just grew out of it. I support measure 80 and don’t believe it will effect our youth anymore than it already does today.
Marijuana should be legal! It might lessen the addiction to far more harmful drugs, like alcohol, tobacco, crack, and meth. Marijuana is a very healthy food if taken as an edible, not smoked. There is a great $2.99 e-book on medical marijuana: MARIJUANA – Guide to Buying, Growing, Harvesting, and Making Medical Marijuana Oil and Delicious Candies to Treat Pain and Ailments by Mary Bendis, Second Edition. This book has great recipes for easy marijuana oil, delicious Cannabis Chocolates, and tasty Dragon Teeth Mints.
OUT OF COMPLIANCE
M8O would put Oregon out of compliance with the federal Drug Free Workplace Act, according to research done by the California Chambers of Commerce. Oregon could lose millions annually in federal aid and grants affecting schools, businesses and government contracts.
TOTAL CONTROL
M8O would permit the forming of a new 7 member State Agency designed to cultivate and sell marijuana in government operated stores throughout Oregon, with 5 of those seven members being elected solely by marijuana growers and processors
DRUGGED DRIVING
Under M8O, Oregonians will see more Driving under the Influence of marijuana accidents, as where alcohol has an impairment BAC level, there is no defined THC impairment level in Measure 80. Measure 80 also allows businesses who bar minors entrance to sell marijuana, meaning clubs, bars, and other bar minor facilities and does nothing to address Oregon’s no indoor smoking laws.
INCREASED ADDICTION
Studies have shown that expanded availability and perceived social acceptance will increase marijuana use among youth. Oregon currently has the nation’s third highest rate of marijuana use among youth, ages 12 – 17.5
MEXICAN CARTELS
Mexican cartels are not in Oregon because their customer base is in Oregon they are in Oregon for the growing season. The cartels don’t work in a vacuum or on a market price theory. They go where they can grow it and distribute nation-wide where they can sell it.
UNREGULATED OVER 21 YEARS OLD
M8O would allow anyone 21 to grow marijuana anywhere – in a vacant lot near a school yard or in a house next door to you. A user could grow football fields of marijuana without any restrictions for personal use. With Measure 80 kids will be able to get it free from the new black market that will be created by all those 21 years and over, who will be allowed to grow unlimited amounts of marijuana. You call this regulation, this is a new unregulated black market that will grow, sell, and undercut the government pot store prices, as well as sell to other states illegally.
In Oregon parents are allowed to provide their kids alcohol as long as they are in their own home. If Measure 80 passes, parents will be allowed to provide their kids pot inside their own home.
How else do you think kids get booze and cigarettes that are underage?
Black-market cigarettes costing NY $20M a month
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/burned_by_bootleg_smokes_IqtVTHYSTsWW6KcabOliRO
PROHIBITS ANY REGULATIONS OR FEES OF GROWING HEMP
M8O prohibits any regulations and fees to grow Hemp with undefined THC levels, which is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, posing the possibility that thousands of acres of rural farmland across Oregon could be bought up for the sole purpose of growing marijuana and hemp. Federal law currently prohibits the growth of hemp. Because the Hemp seeds would not be regulated seeds and starter plants could virtually be available at your local garden and plant nurseries, therefore leaving the door open for anyone to purchase including youth.
TAXES
The claim that millions will be gained from taxes is fantasy. It’s called “weed” for a reason: It is very easy to grow – in basements, homes, forests, and often with very little gardening. Since federal law trumps state law, it defies logic to think that someone would expose themselves to federal prosecution in order to be taxed for committing a federal crime.
Marijuana still remains illegal under federal law. Thus, any locally imposed taxes are legally uncollectible because, according to case law, no one can be compelled to pay a tax that might subject them to prosecution by the federal government.
IT IS NOT POT USERS WHO ARE IN PRISON
With the support of Oregon’s District Attorneys, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, a personal use quantity, has not been a crime under Oregon law for nearly 40 years. No jail, no criminal record, and only the possibility of a fine. Even people convicted of possessing much larger amounts of marijuana get probation. No one is in an Oregon prison for simple possession of marijuana.
It is a NO for Measure 80 in Oregon.
Not just in a vacant lot! You haven’t thought of all the boogey men who will be carrying their pot plants around in public, at the mall, at the zoo! Just think of all the heathens with their pot plants as they dangle from jungle gyms in the park and prance down the street, frolicking tossing pot in the air like confetti over unsuspecting bystanders… the horror!!!
ImpactsofMarijuana is so wrong on every point, that it would take a post twice as long to explain why this is nonsense. How about a history lesson instead?
Richard Nixon appointed Raymond Shafer as the head of a commission to determine how marijuana should be regulated pursuant to the passage of the CSA of 1970.
On March 22, 1972, Mr. Shafer presented a report to Congress and the public entitled “Marijuana, A Signal of Misunderstanding”. The Commission concluded that marijuana users “are essentially indistinguishable from their non-marijuana using peers by any fundamental criterion other than their marijuana use.” They found that, “Neither the marijuana user nor the drug itself can be said to constitute a danger to public safety.” The Commission recommended “Decriminalization of possession of marijuana for personal use on both the state and federal levels.”
Raymond Shafer was a decorated WWII veteran and the Republican Governor of Pennsylvania from 1967-1971.
Your scare tactics only work on sheepeople.