The fight for medical marijuana has been long, arduous, and continues on despite the fact marijuana has been proven effective for battling the pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by illnesses like multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS. But who needs medical marijuana when Oregon is going to have it available in liquor stores for anyone 21 and over?
The Cannabis Tax Act would make cannabis (aka Mary Jane, marijuana, pot, grass) products legal and available in a retail environment in the state of Oregon for those old enough to purchase alcohol, which is also a drug for those unaware of it.
Proponents of the Act claim that the state will have more control over the substance by taking it off the black market. It will, in theory, take it out of the hands of children. If you don't follow this rationale, go ask a few teenagers what is easier to buy, marijuana or alcohol.
Advocates of the act - and presumably the product - also tout the potential tax revenue to be gleaned from sales of the green stuff, potentially stabilizing budget shortfalls from the rocky economy. And then there's the Oregon farmer, who will have another cash crop to grow as well - assuming they can part with it once grown.
The law is scheduled to be voted on in 2010. Supporters have until then to gather 83,000 signatures in support of the initiative to get the bill on an Oregon voting ballot. One Allman Brothers-Phish concert should roll in all the signatures the state needs in one crazy, hazy night. But the reality is, any time a state has attempted to give grass the green light, the federal government has stepped in to prevent any type of legalization or decriminalization from happening by threatening to punish the state financially for it.
Perhaps if the democrats secure the control of Congress and the White House in 2010 as many expect, the political climate might be more...laid back.