Marijuana on Oregon Store Shelves?

Welcome to Oregon by Flickr User goatopolis

Add this to the list of "another reason to consider moving to Portland." A statewide initiative is being launched in Oregon this week to legalize marijuana and to sell it as a taxable, controlled substance at Oregon stores, similar to alcohol.

The initiative needs over 80,000 signatures to make the cut for a statewide vote in 2010. If the ballot measure passed and Oregon were somehow able to get around the Feds and DEA, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission would be in charge of sales and licensing "approved individuals to cultivate the product for sale." And just like all those fine Oregon pinot noirs and microbrews, you'd have to be 21 or over to purchase pot. Supporters say that Oregon would collect millions of tax dollars annually on marijuana sales if the ballot passed.

We've often wondered why in this time of economic hardship and deficits, the United States didn't recognize and legalize its real taxable cash crop.

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By Abbey in News on July 9, 2008 9:00 AM

Comments [rss]

ruffhauser

Hey, Troy, if you could, bring me back a couple of donuts with the Cap'n Crunch cereal on top and a dime bag.

Thanks a bunch.

Troy Morris

As a whole, but would you want your company to sell and risk being one of the few that does get raided when the Feds decide to make an example?

It's scare tactics, yes, but if also works.

Weazul

As so people understand how the whole fed / state thing works. The feds don't recognize it, same as medical marijuana. The state allows the dispensaries (places that sell medical marijuana) to operate, legitimate businesses. But the DEA can, and does sometimes come in and seize everything in the business, effectively shutting it down for some time. However highly disappointing "super high me" was there is a chapter in it showing LA country officers standing by while DEA agents come in (grenade launchers, gloves, hazmats suits and all) and raid a dispensary. People talk to the officers and ask why they aren't enforcing laws put into place by the state... terrible situation for those guys to be in, not being able to uphold the law if they wanted to because feds, who I'm sure they have no intention of messing with are going about business.

Man power on federal part to enforce with probably be next to (I hate to use the word) impossible.

Troy Morris

I'll be there the last week in July. Eating so many donuts and drinking within 4 feet of so many semi-naked ladies and men.

Katelyn

It's so on.

ruffhauser

We would need to hit that donut shop as well.

Abbey

here here Troy!

Troy Morris

And smokes. And goes to strip clubs. And hangs out with all the best ex-Seattle bands. And rides an bad rail system, but still better than ours.

Katelyn

That's just what I was thinking, ruffhauser... This fall. It must happen. Write-up headline: "Seattlest Goes To Portland, Eats And Parties"

ruffhauser

ROADTRIP!

ruffhauser

ROADTRIP

Troy Morris

I have to agree with Cynicali. It's not going to happen... but if it did! Being surrounded by Oregon (and by proxy Cali) and B.C., we're not too far from following suit.

And yeah, feds would never allow it... anyone for a West Coast succession?

Katelyn, my friend let me know about Voodoo Donuts Monday night. I lived there for 3 months back in 2007 and he didn't think I was ready for it until now.

We're going to the strip clubs for a friend's birthday in a couple weekends, with Voodoo Donuts being on the list of items to consume with fury.

Simonian

It's a good idea, but the likelihood of the feds letting it ever happen, even if it was passed by 100% of the voters, is about the same as seeing GW get the Nobel Peace Prize. Sigh.

Katelyn

Oregon, I love you. And not just for your Voodoo Donuts.

cynicali

the 43% of Americans that have used it, rather.

cynicali

I'll believe it when I see it. That being, it's about freaking time. The prohibition on pot is ridiculous. It doesn't prevent anyone from getting it and only serves to label the 43% of Americans as criminals.