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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2016)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016 Marijuana testing poses regulatory quandaries A barrier to entering the legal market By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI Capital Bureau WILSONVILLE — Mar- ijuana testing is creating sev- eral quandaries for Oregon regulators at a time of over- all uncertainty for the newly legalized crop, according to a state official. Testing for pesticides poses one challenge, as the necessary instrumentation is expensive and complicated, said Jeff Rhoades, senior adviser on marijuana pol- icy for Gov. Kate Brown. While state regulators want to protect public health, test- ing is a large barrier to entry into the legal recreational mar- ijuana market, he said during the Oregon Board of Agricul- ture meeting Wednesday in Wilsonville. An overly strict testing regime would be a disadvan- tage to small growers while favoring large out-of-state companies, Rhoades said. “It’s a very delicate balance with testing here,” he said. One pesticide that’s com- monly used on grapes, for example, breaks down into hydrogen cyanide when set aflame, he said. Meanwhile, marijuana is sold not just as a flower, but also in the form of vari- ous tinctures and extracts that require specific testing meth- ods, Rhoades said. “It can’t be just a one-size- fits-all approach,” he said. There are also no federally approved pesticides that are specific to the psychoactive crop, Rhoades said. Oregon has 18 laboratories accredited to test marijuana, but just four are able to test for pesticides. Other marijuana traits that are tested for include micro- bial contamination, solvents and potency. Potency testing has also encountered problems since it became mandatory in October, said Rhoades. Marijuana growers were receiving greatly variable results from different labs, and so were flocking to those pro- viding the highest potency rat- ings, he said. “Lab shopping was happen- ing all over the place,” he said. Regulators are now trying to create a standardized testing protocol for potency so grow- ers can expect uniform results, Rhoades said. Taxes from marijuana sales in Oregon are expected to be a boon to state coffers, but first the Oregon Liquor Control Commission must be repaid for its extensive work in creat- ing a regulatory system for the crop, he said. The state Department of Agriculture has also been heavily involved in regulations involving pesticides, food safety and accurate scale sys- tems, Rhoades said. Exactly how the agency will be repaid for these efforts is currently unclear, though the issue is being discussed and will likely surface during the 2017 legislative session, he said. Marijuana remains ille- gal under federal law, which has made banks leery of deal- ing with marijuana companies — a complication that raises additional issues, Rhoades said. “It’s an all-cash business at this point, which creates public safety concerns and tax collec- tion concerns,” he said. Regulators in Oregon and the seven other states where recreational marijuana is now Gay Men’s Chorus concert rescheduled Former state attorney general, lawmaker dies Myers defended physician-assisted suicide law By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press SALEM — Hardy Myers, a lawyer who became a poli- tician in the Oregon Legisla- ture in his 30s and rose to the position of House speaker, and then was elected state attorney general three times, has died at age 77. He was remembered for defending Oregon’s physi- cian-assisted suicide law, a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, with Myers’ Senior Assistant Attorney General Robert Atkinson suc- cessfully arguing the case in 2005. Myers also championed litigation against tobacco com- panies — coincidentally he himself was a smoker — that brought in millions of dollars to Oregon, and still does. Notes of praise and con- dolence poured in, includ- ing from Oregon’s governor and its Senate president, after word spread that Myers had died Tuesday night in Port- land from complications from pneumonia. He also had lung cancer. Gov. Kate Brown said “Oregon lost a true statesman today,” calling him “a man of unquestionable integrity and commitment to the rule of law.” Born in Mississippi and raised in the central Oregon towns of Bend and Prineville, Myers returned to his birth state to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi. He then graduated from the University of Ore- gon’s law school. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in the 1974 election, representing a Portland district, and served there until 1985. He became speaker of the House in 1979. Lori Cain/Statesman-Journal Former Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers died Tuesday night from compli- cations from pneumonia. Senate President Peter Courtney said in a statement that Myers was an inspiration. “He taught me everything,” Courtney said. “He taught me to respect the institution. He taught me to respect the pro- cess. He taught me to respect other people and other view- points. He was a wonderful gentleman.” Kristen Grainger, who served as Myers’ legislative director and communications director for six years, said he was very humble. “He was the last to take credit and the first to shoulder blame,” said Grainger, who is now Brown’s communications director. “Hardy embodied integrity. He viewed all aspects of public service through the lens of what best served Ore- gonians; what legacy the deci- sions he made would impart for future generations.” When Myers was run- ning for re-election as attor- ney general, his campaign manager borrowed a convert- ible from a car dealership for Myers to ride in at a Fourth of July parade, and the can- didate made his staffer return it because the Department of Justice’s consumer protection lawyers investigate those types of business, Grainger recalled. “He just didn’t think it was appropriate,” Grainger said. Myers is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, their sons and grandchildren. The Daily Astorian A concert featuring the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus has been rescheduled. The North Coast Chorale is hosting the visiting chorus for a special holiday concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at Astoria High School. The concert had originally been scheduled for Saturday. The Gay Men’s Chorus will perform “A Holiday Cel- A ST O R S T R E E T O PRY C O M PA N Y ’ S 21 A N N U A L ST The popular Fort to Sea Trail at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is closed after a fallen tree destroyed a bridge about half a mile below the overlook. The trail could be closed for another week, park staff said. The tree fell during the high winds that hit the coast over the Thanksgiving holiday. Accord- ing to park staff, the bridge is now impassable. Maintenance staff hiked out to the area on Clatsop Post 12 Monday and Tuesday to begin clearing the tree, but discovered they would have to replace the entire bridge. Park staff said this partic- ular bridge and other older bridges in the park are slated to be updated or replaced in the coming years. In this case, the tree forced an early look. This effectively shuts down one section of park trails since the Kwis Kwis extension trail is also closed for selective tree felling. On the park’s Facebook page, staff recommend enjoy- ing the South Slough trail, the Kwis Kwis loop trail or the W A NTED Friday Dec. 2 nd $2 entrance fee helps A SO C or 2 cans of food for the C latsop C o. Food Bank Haystack Holiday Traditions Come celebrate with us – Cannon Beach is off ering can’t miss events to make your holiday season merry and bright! L AMP L IGHTING C EREMONY S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3 | 4 PM Sandpiper Square Treats & refreshments after the ceremony. Cannon Beach’s most loved holiday event! N orth w es t H a rdw oods • Lon gview , W A 4 pm until gone $ O V E R 50 A RT ISA N S L IV E M U SIC SA N T A 10-N O O N | S A T & SU N mellow Netul Trail as alterna- tives while the Fort to Sea Trail is closed. Contact: Steve Axtell • 360-430-0885 or John Anderson • 360-269-2500 Saturday December 3 rd 9AM-2 PM 8. 00 725 33rd St Astoria Artist Faire 1636 E xchange Street Alder and Maple Saw Logs & Standing Timber ual Holiday Bazaa n n r A and Bake Sale Starving A ST O R IA A R M O RY C ANNON B EACH C HORUS H OLIDAY C ONCERT First Lutheran Church French Dips and Potato Salad ebration,” with music from Christmas, Hanukkah and solstice. The concert will also feature new works composed by cho- rus members, the Locomotions dance troupe and the classical acapella ensemble Cascade. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $7 for students and are available at the door. Proceeds will benefit Clatsop Commu- nity College’s Performing Arts Center. F R ID A Y, D E C . 2 • 7-10 pm SA T U R D A Y, D E C . 3 • 10 am -6 pm SU N D A Y, D E C . 4 • 1 1 am -4 pm A fallen tree closes the Fort to Sea Trail The Daily Astorian legal were hoping for clarity from the federal government that would enable more bank- ing involvement, he said. With the recent election and upcoming change in pres- idential administrations, how- ever, there’s great uncertainty about federal marijuana pol- icy, Rhoades said. The Obama administra- tion’s approach — which allows recreational marijuana as long as it’s kept out of the black market and away from children, among other mea- sures — can be immediately reversed by the Trump admin- istration, he said. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. C ANNON B EACH IN L IGHTS & ‘N AME THAT T UNE ’ W INDOW D ISPLAY C ONTEST N OVEMBER 25 - D ECEMBER 17 Holiday Lights voting open through Dec. 16 at the Chamber or online at www.cannonbeach.org H OLIDAY W REATH M AKING D ECEMBER 9 | 7 PM Cannon Beach Community Church Tickets $ 10 for adults, 16 and under free. Great traditional holiday music for your enjoyment! P ICTURES WITH S ANTA S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 10 | 1-4 PM Cannon Beach Library Come support the Cannon Beach Library and get your picture with Santa. S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3 | 11 AM -3 PM Cannon Beach Chamber Community Hall | Cost $ 15 C ANNON B EACH L IBRARY H OLIDAY T EA S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 3 | 1-4 PM Enjoy home baked cookies, tea and cider. Great for the whole family! 6PM “Karaoke Dave” ASTORIA AMERICAN LEGION For complete information visit www.cannonbeach.org/explore/Holiday-Events-in-Cannon-Beach-2016 503.436.2623 Clatsop Post 12 1132 Exchange Street 325-5771 Public Meeting HOLIDAY GOLF SALE! 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