1. The Mail Tribune wants Regulation. Regulation, regulation, regulation
Measure 91 is thick with regulation, restrictions and rules to better control marijuana:
According to the Mail Tribune:
“Under Measure 91, state-licensed farmers would produce the drug under strict controls. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which knows a thing or two about regulating an intoxicating substance, would oversee the distribution and sale of legal pot to those 21 and over. The OLCC would have authority to regulate potency, labeling, testing and portion size — information that is not available on the black market.”
2. The newspaper’s endorsement provides a clear description of 91 and a thoughtful review of the realities of a regulated system.
Continuing the prohibition approach to marijuana won’t accomplish any of these things. [use police resources wisely, eliminate the criminal market, ensure a safe product, raise revenue for the vital services] Nor will it end marijuana use. What Measure 91 would do is impose needed controls on the drug, and generate tax revenue for the state and for local communities…. The measure does not amend the state constitution, so the Legislature can modify the law as needed. We recommend a yes vote on Ballot measure 91.
3. The Mail Tribune joins three other major newspapers around Oregon (and another you might recognize) in supporting marijuana regulation and legalization for the first time:
The Oregonian
The Register-Guard
The East Oregonian
The New York Times
The paper explained its change of heart, “This year, a group of legalization advocates have put forward a very detailed, carefully worded initiative that has none of the drawbacks of the 2012 measure.”
They’ve joined a growing list of organizations and leaders around Oregon supporting 91
- Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens
- Oregon Alliance for Retired Americans
- National Association of Social Workers – Oregon Chapter
- Partnership for Safety and Justice
- ACLU of Oregon
- Retired Oregon State Supreme Court Justice William Riggs
- former US Attorney Kris Olson
- former County Drug Unit Prosecutor Darian Stanford
- Richard Harris, former Oregon State Director of Addictions and Mental Health Services
Go to www.voteyeson91.com to see more!
4. The endorsement continues the momentum from the growing number of supporters and from the Southern Oregon swing by travel author and talk show host Rick Steves
Celebrity travel guide Rick Steves swung through Medford, addressing a packed house of local folks, the sixth stop on his 10-city tour across our great state of Oregon last week. Rick spoke passionately about the importance of passing Measure 91. He and Measure 91 are not pro-pot, we are pro-regulation and pro-good policy, supporting important rules and regulations, better focusing police resources and generating revenue for schools, state and local police, drug treatment services and drug prevention programs.
According to the Mail Tribune, “What Measure 91 would do is impose needed controls on the drug, and generate tax revenue for the state and for local communities.”
Read the entire endorsement here.