Our beautiful, wide open land drew pioneers to Oregon. Now many of our rural lands have attracted something far worse. Foreign drug cartels are farming marijuana on pristine land in our counties, taking advantage of our cash-strapped law enforcement to feed their black market operations.
Let’s vote to regulate, legalize and tax marijuana to cut off the black market and send the cartels packing. Rural Oregon has so much good, we don’t want to be known as ground zero for drug gang activity.
These illegal grows are a scourge:
- Thugs with guns roam remote areas; any family out camping could suddenly land in danger.
- Chemicals are used without regard for safety or how they might contaminate our water.
- Forest land is booby trapped to protect illicit fields.
Measure 91 taxes legal marijuana. Instead of dumping money in a big bank account for Salem, it’s written into the law that the money will be spent on schools, law enforcement, and drug treatment and education. Our sheriffs’ offices will get money to help bring back 24 hours service so when we call 911, someone is there to help. Our jail beds will be reserved to keep dangerous criminals off our streets instead of jailing non-violent marijuana users.
Most of us know someone who needs a job. Growing marijuana and hemp is an industry waiting in the wings right now. Beyond farming there’s manufacturing. Hemp can be made into more than 20,000 products. We have a real pioneering spirit here in Oregon, let’s put it to use.
Tolerating violent drug cartels in our midst is making our communities less safe. We can end the black market for marijuana and create jobs for hard working people in rural Oregon. Let’s boost funding for our kids’ schools and bring back our public safety officers. Vote Yes on 91 for the good of all Oregonians.
This information furnished by Dan Mahr, Campaign Manager, Vote Yes on 91.