An historic meeting of the minds occurred today at the International Cannabis Business Conference today. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R) met for a few minutes with “Freeway” Rick Ross and Chief Petitioner for the Oregon Measure 91 legalization campaign, Anthony Johnson. Amazing times we live in when a convicted drug dealer, once sentenced to life in prison can agree with an Orange County Republican that the War on Drugs is a failure and needs to end. Both Congressman Rohrabacher and Ross understand that drugs are often demonized so politicians don’t have to tackle the real issues of the day, such as education, healthcare and employment issues. Interview to follow…
Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign.
As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state.
Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients.
He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm.
His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.