Rep. Peter Buckley throws support behind legal pot measure
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A prominent state lawmaker has given his support to Measure 80, an initiative that would legalize marijuana.
State Rep. Peter Buckley has served as co-chairman of the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee for the past two sessions.
The Ashland Democrat told the Mail Tribune newspaper he supports regulating marijuana in a manner similar to the regulation of alcohol under the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Legalization would take the "black market" out of Oregon, he said.
Oregon voters will decide this November on the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act. The measure would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana consumed by adults.
Buckley said medical marijuana, which the state already allows, has legal loopholes that have frustrated law enforcement and led to abuse.
"I do think it's a problem with some medical marijuana growers," he said. "They've gotten greedy."
According to the YES on 80 campaign, legalizing marijuana could save $60 million annually in law enforcement costs. Taxing it could bring in an extra $140 million. Under the proposal, marijuana would be purchased through state-run stores.
Even if the law is passed, the federal government might question Oregon's authority to legalize the drug. But Buckley said the national debate could change if enough states follow Oregon's lead.
"Hopefully, the federal government will see the light," he said.
State Rep. Dennis Richardson, R-Central Point, co-chaired with Buckley the powerful Ways and Means Committee. He doesn't support legalizing marijuana but said the state needs a rational debate about whether it wants to legalize cannabis or start cracking down on violations.
Like Buckley, he finds the current medical marijuana law flawed.
"It is basically legalization through a back-door approach," Richardson said.
Though Measure 80 would add tax dollars to the financially challenged state, Richardson said he's reluctant to create a new bureaucracy to track the process and is wary of creating another "sin tax."
Neither Buckley nor Richardson has a medical marijuana card.
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Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
OUT OF COMPLIANCE
M8O would put Oregon out of compliance with the federal Drug Free Workplace Act, according to research done by the California Chambers of Commerce. Oregon could lose millions annually in federal aid and grants affecting schools, businesses and government contracts.
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TOTAL CONTROL
M8O would permit the forming of a new 7 member State Agency designed to cultivate and sell marijuana in government operated stores throughout Oregon, with 5 of those seven members being elected solely by marijuana growers and processors
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DRUGGED DRIVING
Under M8O, Oregonians will see more Driving under the Influence of marijuana accidents, as where alcohol has an impairment BAC level, there is no defined THC impairment level in Measure 80. Measure 80 also allows businesses who bar minors entrance to sell marijuana, meaning clubs, bars, and other bar minor facilities.Â
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INCREASED ADDICTION
Studies have shown that expanded availability and perceived social acceptance will increase marijuana use among youth. Oregon currently has the nationâs third highest rate of marijuana use among youth, ages 12 â 17.5Â
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MEXICAN CARTELS
Mexican cartels are not in Oregon because their customer base is in Oregon they are in Oregon for the growing season.  The cartels donât work in a vacuum or on a market price theory. They go where they can grow it and distribute nation-wide where they can sell it.
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UNREGULATED OVER 21 YEARS OLD
M8O would allow anyone 21 to grow marijuana anywhere â in a vacant lot near a school yard or in a house next door to you. A user could grow football fields of marijuana without any restrictions for personal use. With Measure 80 kids will be able to get it free from the new black market that will be created by all those 21 years and over, who will be allowed to grow unlimited amounts of marijuana. You call this regulation, this is a new unregulated black market that will grow, sell, and undercut the government pot store prices, as well as sell to other states illegally.
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How else do you think kids get booze and cigarettes that are underage?
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Black-market cigarettes costing NY $20M a month
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/burned_by_bootleg_smokes_IqtVTHYSTsWW6KcabOliRO
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PROHIBITS ANY REGULATIONS OR FEES OF GROWING HEMP
M8O prohibits any regulations and fees to grow Hemp with undefined THC levels, which is the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, posing the possibility that thousands of acres of rural farmland across Oregon could be bought up for the sole purpose of growing marijuana and hemp.  Federal law currently prohibits the growth of hemp. Because the Hemp seeds would not be regulated seeds and starter plants could virtually be available at your local garden and plant nurseries, therefore leaving the door open for anyone to purchase including youth.
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TAXES
The claim that millions will be gained from taxes is fantasy. It's called "weed" for a reason: It is very easy to grow - in basements, homes, forests, and often with very little gardening. Since federal law trumps state law, it defies logic to think that someone would expose themselves to federal prosecution in order to be taxed for committing a federal crime.
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Marijuana still remains illegal under federal law. Thus, any locally imposed taxes are legally uncollectible because, according to case law, no one can be compelled to pay a tax that might subject them to prosecution by the federal government.
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IT IS NOT POT USERS WHO ARE IN PRISON
With the support of Oregonâs District Attorneys, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, a personal use quantity, has not been a crime under Oregon law for nearly 40 years. No jail, no criminal record, and only the possibility of a fine. Even people convicted of possessing much larger amounts of marijuana get probation.  No one is in an Oregon prison for simple possession of marijuana.
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It is a NO for Measure 80.
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