It simply makes sense that decriminalizing marijuana saves money and better prioritizes law enforcement resources. Many localities and states, large and small, have wisely decriminalized cannabis, without the sky falling. Oregon was the first state to end criminal penalties for personal possession back in 1973. Wichita, Kansas, is the latest […]

Senate Bill 964 passed through the Senate-only Implementing Measure 91 Committee tonight unanimously and will now move onto the Senate floor for a vote. The vote is expected to occur next Tuesday, giving advocates time to urge senators to oppose the measure. Senate Bill 964 co-sponsor, Ginny Burdick, hopes to […]

  Oregon politicians are planning on dismantling the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) and go against the will of voters by passing Senate Bill 964, without any public testimony. Previous to Senate Bill 964 being crafted in the cover of darkness, the precursor bill was Senate Bill 844. Senate Bill 964 […]

For many people, the multitude of medical uses of cannabis is too much to take. Since they find it hard to believe that one plant can tackle so many ailments and debilitating conditions, they falsely conclude that all of the medical uses must be hooey. I must admit that I […]

While it is rather unbelievable and infuriating that a handful of Democrats would team up with Republicans to go against the will of the voters and harm sick and disabled patients, we must remain vigilant in doing all that we can to protect our most vulnerable citizens and our vote. […]

While Oregon patients and concerned citizens managed to stop Senate Bill 844, a measure that would harm sick and disabled medical marijuana patients, the bill has basically been regurgitated as Senate Bill 964. Oregon House Democrats Ann Lininger, Peter Buckley and Ken Helm stood up for patients and the will of […]

Yet again Barack Obama squanders an easy chance to accomplish desperately needed drug policy reform. His opportunity to replace ousted and disgraced DEA chief Michele Leonhart gave a chance for a fresh look at failed drug policies. Instead, Obama disappoints yet again by choosing Chuck Rosenberg, an FBI agent and […]

The Oregon Joint Committee on Implementing Measure 91 failed to pass Senate Bill 844, a medical marijuana regulatory bill, that began as an OLCC Measure 91 “technical fix” bill, last night and currently are at an impasse over how they will move forward. Rightfully, patients, advocates and concerned citizens made their voices heard after legislators shirked the major duty […]

It is simply galling that some members of the Oregon Legislature are attempting to simultaneously decrease the number of patient gardens and allow cities and counties to opt-out of licensed and regulated medical marijuana dispensaries, hurting patients’ safe access to medicine across the state. Insultingly, some of these same politicians […]

Yes, Kansas. “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” shocked prohibitionists may mutter, as they are unable to utilize old Reefer Madness propaganda, or the repackaged Big Reefer Madness 2.0, in conservative states anymore. More and more conservatives are now advocating for the small government principles underlying marijuana law reform.After seeing […]

Marijuana legalization has been making inroads with Republican voters, especially millennials, but GOP support has lagged well behind Democrats and independents. Cannabis law reform advocates have long pointed out the conservative values demonstrated by marijuana legalization, including personal freedom, personal responsibility, entrepreneurship, smaller government and states’ rights. Marijuana law reform has […]

This past month has been a frenzy for leaders in cannabis reform in Oregon. In case you missed it, Tom Burns got fired, the medical marijuana community is at war with Oregon legislators who are trying to impose grow limits, inspections, and fees, and no one yet knows where they […]

While certainly not alone, I have been helping lead the fight against Senate Bill 844, a bill that will fundamentally alter the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and cost some patients their gardens and access to medicine. Thanks to the efforts of patients and concerned citizens, we have postponed the vote […]

Marijuana moves mainstream in Texas!?! In Texas?!? Are we really talking about Texas? Yes, we certainly are talking about Texas and when Tea Party politicians in the Lone Star State are advocating for an end to cannabis prohibition, you know that marijuana has gone mainstream and legalization is completely inevitable. […]

Reefer Madness prohibitionists loudly screamed that the sky would fall in Colorado following marijuana legalization. They predicted increased violent crime, increased dangers on the highways and that there would be a huge spike in marijuana-addicted zombies ruining the state’s economy. Cannabis prohibitionists like to claim that the social costs of marijuana […]