You probably heard it here on Marijuana Politics first and we are awaiting official confirmation, but we are getting reports from multiple sources that Steve Wagner will be leaving the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program at the end of this month. Wagner, who was fired from his last job in Ohio, has been leading the OMMP through a tumultuous period for the Oregon cannabis program.
There has been controversial provisions passed by the Oregon Legislature which led to controversial new rules, leaving many patients fearful for their supply of medicine. Wagner, who was named the interim manager of the OMMP, replacing longtime manager Tawana Nichols, is certainly leaving at a time when there are a lot of questions that need to be answered for Oregon’s patients, caregivers and growers. While most Oregon advocates cheered the passage of our Measure 91 cannabis legalization measure, we knew that we must be vigilant to ensure we protected the OMMP.
The New Approach Oregon Political Action Committee, responsible for drafting the measure and running the Vote Yes on 91 campaign, included provisions stating that the OMMP should not be impacted by the legalization measure and remains committed to protecting and improving Oregon’s medical marijuana laws. The latest shakeup at the OMMP will likely leave a lot of work to be done and the New Approach Oregon PAC will be working with the medical cannabis community to ensure the viability of the OMMP. And as always, Marijuana Politics will be here to give the cannabis community the voice it deserves as government bodies amend and implement regulations impacting the OMMP and recreational programs.
