Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Page A-5
Governor signs medical marijuana dispensary bill
By
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Contributing Writer
It’s official, Oregon is the thirteenth state
to legalize medical marijuana dispensaries.
On August 14, Governor Kitzhaber signed
House Bill 3460, which mandates creation of
regulations for medical marijuana retail shops
soon-to-be licensed by the state. The bill is de-
signed to allow medical marijuana users to get
their medicine without hassles and to make it
more difficult for the black market to acquire
Oregon-grown pot.
Back in 1998, Oregon voters approved a
statewide initiative directing lawmakers to en-
able physicians to authorize qualified patients
to grow and consume marijuana; however the
law neglected to provide legal protections for
outlets to dispense medical marijuana to pa-
tients. Two previous ballot initiatives to create
a regulated dispensary system were defeated by
Oregon voters.
Currently, about 200 unlicensed dispen-
saries operate statewide, and more than 55,000
Oregonians are registered with the state to
consume marijuana for therapeutic purposes.
Oregon’s total population is about 3.8 million.
Approximately one out of every seventy Orego-
nians currently holds a medical marijuana card.
Many medical marijuana users have long-
complained that state rules requiring patients to
either grow their own marijuana or have some-
one do it for them were unrealistic and trouble-
some. Others, including many in law enforce-
ment, claim the state’s minimal regulation of
medical marijuana has allowed widespread di-
version of marijuana into the black market.
Not everyone is pleased with the new law
and Kitzhaber says he shares some concerns ex-
pressed by the bills’ opponents, but noted how
the legislation gives power to the
Oregon Health Authority to audit
dispensaries’ financial records.
“I believe it will be critical to
set fees for dispensaries that will
provide sufficient funding to OHA
so that they can be extraordinarily
vigorous in their enforcement of
the rules that are developed,” Kit-
zhaber said. The law empowers
OHA to conduct inspections at the
dispensaries.
Supporters say the bill cre-
ates infrastructure within the Or-
egon Medical Marijuana Program
to enable the state to better regu-
late the medicinal pot retail indus-
try and ensure safety. OHA will
craft rules and regulations over the
next nine months
to govern state-
wide distribution
and will include
regulations
on
marijuana test-
ing, security and
other issues. The
pot will be tested for mold, mildew and pesti-
cides.
It’s expected about 225 medical mari-
juana retail outlets will be licensed in the next
two years. Dispensaries will be prohibited from
existing within 1,000 feet of each other or a
school and will also be banned from residential
areas, operating only in agricultural, industrial
or commercial areas.
Current medical marijuana shops will not
gain legal status until March 2014, after the
bill’s new rules are drafted. Initially, HB 3640
included a provision potentially limiting crimi-
nal liability for existing medical marijuana dis-
pensaries, but Oregon prosecutors successfully
lobbied to strip that protection from the bill.
OHA is expected to charge each dispen-
sary $4,000 a year to operate. Dispensaries will
be allowed to set prices reflecting costs related
to transferring, handling, security, insuring,
testing, packaging and processing marijuana as
well as the costs of supplies, utilities, rent or
mortgage. Operators will also be allowed to re-
imburse state-registered marijuana growers for
expenses.
People convicted of felony manufactur-
ing or delivery of a controlled substance will
be prohibited from operating dispensaries and
only medical marijuana patients will be allowed
to purchase marijuana from the newly licensed
pot shops.
Recreational use of marijuana is still ille-
gal in the state.
View-Master Birthday Party!
(Courtesy photo for The Illinois Valley News)
Cannabis Indica a common Medical Cannabis used
in Oregon.
T ake The crud off your house .
G eT rid of mildew and mold !
The Health & Cooking Class
Pressure Washing
Invite you to hear the
Call now for an estimate
A house should be cleaned every 5 - 7 Years.
Amazing Sandy Burns
Monday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m.
(South in Cave Junction.)
After her accident her doctor said
she would never walk again.
Now she is climbing mountains!
Find out how natural remedies healed her.
Discover how wild life edibles can
help you to better health.
Enjoy delicious healthy Mexican food.
Mari’s Interesting Food Demo
from El Salvador.
Recipes for this tasty meal.
DRAwIng FOR DOOR pRIzES.
All of this for a reasonable $5.00
Come on over for an enjoyable evening!
Please join us in celebrating 75 years of the View-
Master, where the inventor and manufacturer
of this iconic toy first met. Gretchen Gruber, the
inventor’s daughter, will give a short presentation
and answer your questions.
W alt J uergens P ainting
541-597-4136
Seventh-day Adventist Church
265 Old Stage Rd.
Chateau at the Oregon Caves
11 am, Saturday, August 24
QUALITY OFFICE SPACE IN CAVE JUNCTION
Non-profit or for-profit businesses wanting a presence in the beautiful Illinois
Valley should consider the Illinois Valley Family Coalition. The facility is
modern & well maintained in a convenient Cave Junction location.
F eatures oF the Facility :
t he monthly rental includes :
• Beautifully landscaped
• Alarmed security and fire system
• Ample parking
• On-sight landlord
• Reception area and waiting room
• Children’s play area
• High speed internet
• Office furniture
• Tenant patio
• Kitchen
• Cleaning service & paper products
• Utilities
• Meeting & conference rooms
IF YOUR ORGANIZATION NEEDS OFFICE OR MEETING SPACE IN
THE ILLINOIS VALLEY, CONSIDER THE AMENITIES OFFERED AT
THE COALITION AND CALL 592-6139, EXTENSION 303.
Illinois Valley Lions
41st Annual
LABOR DAY FESTIVAL
August 31 September 1, & 2 2013
Jubilee Park, Cave Junction, Oregon
Theme: PRIDE OF ILLINOIS VALLEY
Official Parade Application
Parade forms at Evergreen school on Monday, September 3rd, at 8:30am. Parade starts at 10am
sharp. Check one or more categories for your parade entry:
Music (youth band)
Religious
Humorous
Commercial
Truck
Classic Auto (1950 +)
Horse & Rider (adult)
Public Service
Music (adult band)
Military
Sports/Athletics
Marching
Club/Organization (Youth)
Political
Club/Organization (Adult)
Tuff Truck
Commercial Truck
Tractor
Antique Auto (Pre-1949)
Custom Auto
Horse & Rider (youth)
Horse & Rider (group)
Other: ________________________________________
Contact Person: ____________________________________ Phone: ________________________
Address: _____________________________________________ City: _______________________
Email Address:______________________________________________________________________
Describe entry and/or history: _________________________________________________________
Entry Details: (Length of entry/truck, truck trailer, Group size, People, Horses.)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Parade Chairman: Harry Johnson
Mail Entries to: P.O. Box 173 O’Brien, OR 97534
541-596-2104 or email cherhar@frontiernet.net
All parade entry requests subject to LIONS approval.
Applications can be dropped off at Sterling Bank.