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Oregon Marijuana Legalization Campaign Lands Major Endorsements


new approach oregon marijuana legalizationThree early endorsers: Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens, Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

OREGON–(ENEWSPF)–July 29, 2014.  Less than a week after qualifying for the ballot, the New Approach Oregon campaign to regulate marijuana for adults 21 and older has won three major endorsements.

The endorsing organizations are:

The Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens, the oldest grassroots senior advocacy organization in the state.

The Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, which represents more than 1,300 criminal defense attorneys in Oregon.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, whose 100,000 supporters include police officers, judges, prosecutors, prison wardens, FBI agents and DEA agents.

“This is the first time a senior organization in Oregon has endorsed a marijuana regulation measure,” said Steve Weiss, board president of the Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens. “I’ve seen how medical marijuana can transform seniors’ lives, but when you are sick and in need of effective medicine, getting a medical marijuana card can be difficult, and without legalization, almost no research is done on it, making it hard for people to estimate the proper dosage.”

The endorsements come a day after The New York Times editorial board endorsed marijuana regulation and launched into a six-part series about it.

“The fact that three prominent organizations have endorsed us so quickly reflects the broad base of support we are seeing across the state,” said Dan Mahr, New Approach Oregon campaign manager. “From all corners of the state, more and more Oregonians are stepping up to help us win a New Approach to marijuana.”

Two of the endorsing organizations released the following statements:

“OSCRC Board members find the “New Approach Oregon” proposal to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana to be smart and reasonable and worthy of the support of Oregon voters.” — Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens

“Arresting and citing nonviolent citizens for using marijuana is a drain on law enforcement resources and creates a hostile environment between police and the communities they serve. Regulating and taxing marijuana will provide state and local police with more time and resources to combat serious and violent crime.” — Major Neill Franklin, executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

About the Author:

Johnny Green is a marijuana activist from Oregon. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy. Follow Johnny Green on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: http://www.theweedblog.com

Related Articles:

New York Times Editorial Board Calls for Repeal of Marijuana Prohibition

Why the New York Times’ Editorial Series Calling for Marijuana Legalization Is Such a Big Deal


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