We need to see more action like this across America, but I applaud Oregon for pushing ahead.
(SALEM, Ore.) - A proposed law for Oregon would radically alter the availability of marijuana for adults, by allowing the herb to be purchased in liquor stores. The Oregonians For Cannabis Reform 2010, say the Oregonian Cannabis Tax Act would make cannabis products legal and available in a retail environment. Proponents say it will mean millions and millions of dollars for Oregon’s state coffers and many predict that the move would literally salvage the state’s unstable economy.
Backers of this Initiative say their plan would send 90 percent of the proceeds from the state’s sale of marijuana to Oregon’s General Fund, which could lower the state tax burden significantly. Portions of the revenue would be used to fund drug abuse education and treatment programs.
But right now, the people bringing this opportunity for Oregon voters forward, says their effort needs money, equipment, and, most of all, volunteers.
But they say the payoff will be enormous, as the Cannabis Tax Act (CTA) will take the lucrative marijuana market out of the black market, where children and substance abusers often control it today, and place it in state liquor stores, where the age limit of 21 and older is strictly enforced.
Advocates also say it will be like a rebirth of the Oregon farmer. Farmers will be licensed to cultivate cannabis for both medicinal and adult private use. Farmers will be able to grow industrial hemp without a license, for paper, fabric, protein and oil, under the new proposed law.
Forcing patients to turn to the black market for medicine is not good, by removing the marijuana from the criminals and allowing patients to grow their own or buy their own legally, will help make this country a better place. Right now our streets are controlled by drugs - marijuana should never be sold on the street as a drug, it is a natural plant and should be allowed to be grown for free. America is making criminals rich and rewarding the black market by keeping marijuana illegal.
We need America to give this powerful plant back to farmers. At one time American farmers were not only allowed to grow cannabis, but encouraged to do so. The US government even made a film about it called “Hemp For Victory” where farmers were encouraged to grow hemp to help the US win the war! Then the drug war started and marijuana became illegal.
More than marijuana, the CTA will restore industrial hemp, the most productive agricultural source of fiber protein and oil, and a huge aspect of American heritage. Hemp seed oil is diesel fuel. The first cordage, cloth and paper were invented from hemp fiber.
Advocates say the laws would virtually wipe out the black-market. “The CTA allows police and the courts to concentrate on real criminals that hurt others, not arrest, prosecute and jail harmless, productive adult cannabis users. Stop our government from tearing families apart. Let’s show real family values and end cannabis prohibition.”
The OCTA will wage its campaign to help stop the War on Cannabis by challenging the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act- it’s credibility and effectiveness. This is the law that was precededd by mass hype and hysteria fed to the American public by Harry Anslinger, a dubious U.S. politician who worked with Dow Chemicals and Dupont in the 1920’s and 30’s, to demonize marijuana and place it in an illegal category, in order to get their new “synthetic rope” on the market. In truth, the natural hemp fiber is to this day, superior in strength, quality and durability.
It would appear that Anslinger was a conservative who truly believed marijuana to be a threat to the future of American civilization, yet his biographer maintained that he was an astute government bureaucrat who viewed the marijuana issue as a means for elevating himself to national prominence.
Paul Stanford of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, told KATU that the measure would also put a dent in illegal dealing of the weed.
“We want to take marijuana out of the hands of children and substance abusers, who control the market today, and put it in the hands of the state’s liquor control commission and the age limit of 21 will be strictly enforced,” Stanford said.
We have waged a war on marijuana for decades now with no positive results, just billions of dollars spent prosecuting citizens for possessing a joint of marijuana. It is time to start thinking on a different level and push for legislation like the Cannabis Tax Act and do what was already intended to be done in the 1970’s. Marijuana was to be taxed in many states in the 70’s and even states like Louisiana have a Marijuana Taxation Stamp that was introduced well over 30 years ago, however the politicians have swept the program under the rug in most states and continually fight against medical marijuana despite states having voted for the taxation of marijuana in the 70’s.
While I do not promote the use of marijuana as if it were alcohol, and do not really support the idea of it being sold at liquor stores (so more people get rich off of it) this is medicine and people need access to it, this does not mean I want it sold at liquor stores. I prefer medical marijuana dispensaries, but this is a good start and any legislation is better than none. As long as patients have safe access I guess it doesn’t really matter where they get it or who profits from it. I am just a firm believer in allowing patients to grow their own not have to go to a liquor store to buy it. Those who can grow, grow, those who cannot will have to buy…
