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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (June 24, 2015)
News Bill Might Help ClearPast Pot Convictions C learing one’s record of marijuana-related convictions could get a little easier this legislative session. House Bill 3372, introduced by Rep. Lew Frederick earlier this year, died in committee earlier this year– but HB 3400, an omnibus marijuana bill introduced by Rep. Ann Lininger (D-Lake Oswego) that would provide avenues for easier expunction – passed out of committee last week and had its second reading Tuesday. This month activists with New Approach Ore- gon, the coalition that campaigned for Measure 91 last fall, along with the Bus Project, have re- doubled their efforts to keep expungement alive. Advocates say clearing past offenses is a critical social and racial justice issue “Legalizing marijuana is a good fi rst step but there’s a lot more to do,” says Peter Zuckerman, a spokesperson for New Approach Oregon, the coalition behind Measure 91, which legalized recreational Marijuana in Oregon last fall. Anthony Johnson, the architect of Measure 91, told The Skanner the proposed laws don’t need to go as far as they should, but are a step in the right direction – and regardless of the outcome, his group will continue to fi ght to make it easier to clear up criminal records once drug laws are changed. Frederick told The Skanner News HB 3400 doesn’t go as far as his bill and he’d like to see more comprehen- sive legislation, but that he’s glad the push to expunge prior marijuana of- fenses has stayed alive. The Bus Project held a phone-bank- ing session and has created an online petition and social media campaign, using the hashtag #FreshStartOregon. Aaron Brown, outreach coordina- tor for The Bus Project, likened the push toward legalization to success- ful campaigns for same-sex marriage. Both movements’ successes have been driven by state or local gov- ernments, with tactics and messages getting replicated in other places once they prove successful. So pushing to include expunction for past marijua- na offenses could set the tone for le- galization in other states – though a handful of other governments are tak- In November 2014, Oregonians voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The portions of the ing this into account as well. Brown says setting records straight law pertaining to personal possession and use of for those convicted of past offenses the drug kick in July 1. is important because it’s a social and it very easy to expunge their records if they’ve racial justice issue. been convicted for a crime that’s no longer go- “The war on drugs has always been about the ing to be a crime.” state control of Black and brown bodies,” Brown “With legalizing marijuana, a major reason told The Skanner. “The drug war has never been we’ve advocated for it was for criminal justice about drugs. It’s about state-sanctioned destruc- reform,” Zuckerman says, citing numbers re- tion of community.” leased by the American Civil Liberties Union “There are people who can’t get jobs, can’t get noting that people of color are more than twice good housing, can’t get student loans because as likely to be arrested for marijuana-related they’ve been burdened with marijuana convic- crimes despite no discrepancy in marijuana tions for a crime that will be obsolete in a cou- use. “That’s morally indefensible and needs to ple weeks,” Zuckerman says. “We need to make change.” We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that work- ers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an honest day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strength- ens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people work- ing in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that workers can hold dear regard- less of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious be- liefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5.000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? PHOTO BY SONYA YRUEL/DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE (CC BY-NC 4.0) By Christen McCurdy Of Th e Skanner News Pot ber 2016, shortly after retail sales would get going. Some Oregon cities want to change the opt-out rules so that a majority vote from their city council or coun- ty commission would ban sales, instead of waiting for next year’s November elec- tion. Other cities, such as Tu- alatin, would implement lo- cal control over pot through rules that restrict how close a retail outlet could be from parks, schools and libraries. In many ways, the future of legal pot in Oregon is still being decided through the legislature and local laws. Will Oregon be a patch- work of “wet” and “dry” counties with differing rules, taxes and availability? Maybe. The OLCC urges people to use common sense, keep up to date with rules and to educate before they recre- ate. For more information visit the OLCC’s “What’s Legal” website, whatslegal.com, or sign up for the agency’s newslett to stay up to date with new information. How Do I Get into the Marijuana Business? By Donovan M. Smith Of Th e Skanner News H ave you wondered about the rec- reational marijuana business in Oregon? Though the Oregon Li- quor Control Commission and the Ore- gon Legislature are still working togeth- er to formulate the rules of distribution, The Skanner News has compiled some of the key things to know about getting into the industry. How can I sell marijuana? There are currently four types of li- censes one can attain in order to legal- ly sale marijuana: producer, processor, wholesaler and retail. You can acquire as many of the four licenses through the Oregon Liquor Con- trol Commission. The OLCC will not open up applica- tions until January 4, 2015 with a fee of $250. Those awarded a license will need to pay a subsequent annual $1,000 opera- tions fee. How much of a cut will the state be taking from what I sell? That’s yet to be determined. The House-Senate marijuana committee is currently considering House Bill 2041, which would replace the current $35-per- ounce tax with a blanket tax of 17 per- cent on all cannabis-related products. HB 2041 would also provide an optional 3 percent tax localities could choose to impose that would be paid by the retailer. Will a criminal history stop me from getting licensed? According to OLCC’s Tom Towslee, the legislature will hammer out the fi nal Page 8 June 24, 2015 The Portland and Seattle Skanner continued from page 3 language around criminal backgrounds as it relates to marijuana distribution in July. However, state offi cials have already determined there are already some of- fenses that that won’t prevent you from getting a license: Manufacture of marijuana: If this con- viction came more than fi ve years prior to the application for licensing, and you haven’t been convicted since for the same charge, and/or the delivery of mar- ijuana, you cannot be denied based on criminal history. Delivery of marijuana: If you were over the age of 21 or the offense is more than fi ve years prior to the application date, you will not be denied on this basis. Possession: You will not be denied li- censing for possession convictions. What would it take for me to lose my license? Any violation of Measure 91 can and will result in the loss of licensing. If you lose your license you are welcome to re- apply for certifi cation. Can medical marijuana dispensaries sell for non card-holders? As of this writing, no. Some owners of medical marijuana dispensaries have however banded together with hopes of creating a bill to be considered in the leg- islature that would allow their stores to sell a limited amount of marijuana prod- ucts for recreational usage. If said pro- posal passes, the more than 200 medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon will all have the option of retailing medical mar- ijuana while shops that are strictly recre- ational would need to attain licensing in order to distribute cannabis for medicinal purposes.
