Stop the Nonsense! Marijuana Speech #24

24th speech in this series to the Josephine County Commissioners,1-12-2011 

   

Last Friday night, I heard a report on KDRV Channel 12 (http://kdrv.com/page/201884 ) that two bills had been introduced in the legislature that would require drug testing for public assistance in Oregon. I went looking for bill numbers and more details, and found them on Examiner.com in a piece by Jennifer Alexander (Two bills in Oregon legislature to require drug testing for ... ) . I found summaries but not the full text on the legislature's website.

The first, SB 538 by Senator Bruce Starr of Hillsboro, would require drug testing for all public assistance, including unemployment, not just welfare and food stamps as reported on KDRV, who reported that recipients would have to pay for the tests. It would deny public assistance to anyone who tests positive for a "drug of abuse;" it does not appear to include a treatment option to receive assistance.

The second bill, HB 2995, introduced by Representative Dennis Richardson of Central Point, would apply only to unemployment compensation. It provides that anyone who tests positive would be offered treatment, and would deny those who refuse. I can't tell if it requires one to pay for the test and/or treatment.

Citizens, please call these gentlemen, and remind them that we didn't give Republicans exactly half the House because we love their social policies or the drug war, and that they should stop reminding us why we gave Democrats control in the previous session. Their seats might be safe; other Republicans are not. I don't normally give out phone numbers, but Starr's Salem office number is 503-986-1715; Richardson's is 503-986-1404.

While you are at it, please talk to them about passing the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012, and call up your local representative and senator as well, or write them an e-mail. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are available on the web; search for the Oregon legislature.

This Act will take the most widely used illegal drug out of the "drug of abuse" category and at the same time save us from the corruption caused by medical marijuana and the black market that it preserves. In the process, it will create an entire new legal industry with legal employment for growers, processors, and sellers. It will stop our teenagers from becoming pot dealers and being ruined for real work. It will allow all adults to grow their own pot and reduce the price of commercial pot drastically, leaving more money in the legal economy. And it will save our law enforcement resources for real criminals like thieves, while eliminating the violence and theft associated with the marijuana black market and the medical privilege.

This Board should also talk to the legislature, by passing A Resolution Regarding Marijuana. At the very least, tell these gentlemen to stop the nonsense, and stop threatening the assistance that keeps our businesses alive in this recession.

Rycke Brown, Natural Gardener         541-955-9040         rycke@gardener.com