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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 7, 1997)
ju st o u t ▼ m arch 7, 1 9 9 7 ▼ 19 * local news Checking in , From DOMA to END A to medicinal marijuana it’s an Oregon Legislature potpourri ▼ by Inga Sorensen ’m a strong advocate of medicinal mari juana. All the anecdotal evidence and a few scientific findings show that medicinal mari juana relieves pain and suffering and stimu lates appetite, which is very important, par ticularly when you’re talking about AIDS cancer,” says state Rep. George Eighmey (D-Port land), who is sponsoring House Bill 2900, which permits marijuana use for therapeutic purposes. “At first 1 wasn’t sure whether there would be much support for something like this, but then you look at California and Arizona [voters in those states recently approved propositions al lowing physicians to prescribe marijuana for medical purposes] and see all the media coverage I John Kitzhaber now, well, there seems to be momentum,” says Eighmey, also citing a Jan. 30 editorial in the influential New England Journal o f Medicine that backs the use of medicinal marijuana. HB 2900 says a person suffering from a seri ous physical illness or disease may obtain a cer tificate authorizing the possession of marijuana for therapeutic purposes by submitting an appli cation to the state Board of Pharmacy. The application will include, among other details, the person’s name and address, the name or description of the person’s ailment, treatments he or she has undergone and the results of those treatments, the quantity of marijuana to be used, the method and frequency of use, as well as a statement from the person’s attending physician that the patient suffers from a serious physical illness or disease and that the use of marijuana would improve the person’s health or relieve physical pain and suffering. HB 2900 also allows a certified person to cultivate marijuana for his or her own use with oversight from the Oregon State Police and state Board of Pharmacy. If approved, the measure would be referred to voters for consideration during the next general election. and In addition to HB 2900, Eighmey is sponsor ing a resolution calling upon the president and Congress to alter the federal classification for marijuana “so as to allow it to be prescribed by qualified medical professionals.” ENDA Eighmey and supporters of gay and lesbian rights are still trying to gather the necessary support to move House Bill 2734, which bars discrimination in the workplace on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation. Legislative leaders say they want proof that backers of “social issues” bills have a majority vote before allowing such legislation to move forward. Rep. Chuck Carpenter, a Portland-area Re publican, is HB 2734’s chief sponsor. Supporters include Democrats and Republicans, including GOP Reps. Jeff Kruse of Roseburg and Lane Shetterly of Dallas. Proponents, including Right to Pride, a state wide gay, lesbian and bisexual rights group, are lobbying legislators in an attempt to shore up sup port. To make the measure more attractive to possible detractors, the bill includes exemptions for churches and sectarian religious in- stitutions such as church- sponsored schools, hospi tals or camps “on the basis that an individual’s sexual orientation violates the re ligious tenets or teachings of that church or institu tion.” HB 2734 also exempts employers with six of feweremployeesandman- Cynthia Wooten dates that a claimant of sexual orientation em ployment discrimination must obtain a positive finding of discrimination from the state Bureau of Labor and Industries before taking his or her case into a court of law. That particular mandate does not apply to other groups currently protected "We'd like to get to know you" A special introduction; Mention you saw this ad in Just Out and CUSTOM FRAMING IS Assembly is f r e e - You pay for the materials • Complete Projects only • Uniframes excluded ‘Picture This’ FR A M IN G G A L L E R Y 2801 SE Holgate • Portland • 236-1400 Plenty of FREE parking at our convienent Eostside location M o n .*Fri. 9:30 am - 6 pm • Saturday 10 am -5:30 pm A ffi« >o compiti« projects only Not lo ht cooémod « i* iêm o ffa iV i . i* * • * a *'4*. * "• 4 *V * 4 . , --------- -------- -------- -------- --------------- _ L . __ I under state civil rights law. Supporters had wanted the bill to go to the House Commerce Committee, which Carpenter says was the most supportive. As we went to press, we learned the bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Gamering the necessary backing in the Sen ate, which is dominated by Republicans 20 to 10, however, is a tougher prospect. RTP Executive Director Barry Pack is urging those who believe they have experienced em ployment discrimination based on sexual orienta tion— particularly those residing outside of Port land—to contact RTP at 228-5825. According to Pack, Shannon also has another anti-same-sex marriage bill waiting in the wings which resembles SB 577 except that it includes a referendum clause, meaning if approved by law makers it would circumvent a gubernatorial veto and go directly to the people for a vote. E ducation Oregon DOMA is not the only bill which may have a direct negative impact on sexual minorities. Right to Pride says Rep. Ron Sunseri is spon soring House Bill 2569, which would bar school administrators from administering tests, surveys, psychological or psychiatric exams, or evalua- DOMA Proponents of the statewide Defense of Mar riage Act, sponsored by state Sen. Marylin Shan non, a Salem Republican, are also required to show leadership that they have majority support before that bill can move forward. Given the fact Republicans control both cham bers, opponents concede that chances of the mea sure passing are extremely good. “We’ll try and do what we can, but that prob ably won’t be enough,” admits Pack. Shannon is sponsoring Senate Bill 577, which would prohibit equal marriage rights for same- gender couples. It defines marriage as the union be tween a man and woman, and says same-sex mar riages performed else where will hot be recog nized in Oregon. The bill’s cosponsors are Reps. Charles Star (R- H illsboro) and Ron Sunseri (R-Gresham), and £Sen. Bob Kintigh (R- ^ Springfield). “This is political grand- S standing— pure and « simple,” says Pack. “It’s | also an enormous waste of * taxpayers’ resources. Leg islators should be working on budgetary matters like how to deal with Mea sure 47.” Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has yet to take a public position on the bill, though a spokesman previously told Just Out the governor “certainly believes that marriage doesn’t need a defense.” George Eighmey tions that address, among other things, sexual behaviors, orientation or attitudes unless parental consent is obtained. According to Pack, that could, for example, impact sexual minority youth who may seek school counseling services, or efforts to gather informa tion relating to youth suicide. HB 2569 has been referred to the House Edu cation Committee. D omestic partners Ending on an up note, state Rep. Cynthia Wooten, an openly lesbian Democrat from Eu gene, is sponsoring two bills that could benefit domestic partners. House Bill 2885 would require life and health insurers to offer plans and benefits for domestic partners. 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