Politics Oct 21, 2010 at 4:00 am

Yes, There's a Cowboy. Yes, There's a Basketball Player. But Wait! There's More!

Comments

1
No on 74? Really? You guys are ridiculous.
2
Measure 74 is the only chance we have at getting testing for medicine funded. Until then, who knows what patients will be forced to use. Without dispensaries, there is no choice for the patient. Most patients can't grow for themselves, so they are stuck with what their grower gives them, if they are lucky enough to find one.

Who cares if people that were criminals, but paid their debt to society can work in a dispensary or as a producer? If they do, they will be monitored by DHS, have to report every transaction and finally be able to make an honest living. Without these jobs they are left to work for the black market.

A vote no on 74 is a vote to force patients to risk buying their medicine on the black market. Mercury, you are no better than the Oregonian.
3
Measure 74 would not affect the current medical marijuana program at all, so it is hard to believe the measure didn't win your endorsement. A patient with their own garden is not forced to utilize a dispensary, thus Measure 74 merely provides more options for patients.

There is absolutely no way that the Oregon Health Authority would license more dispensaries than the state could effectively regulate. The best-case scenario of $40 million per year is the estimate provided by the Oregon Health Authority of what the state health agency expects to bring in four years after the passage of Measure 74--it isn't the maximum amount. The more dispensaries licensed, the more revenue the state brings in.

I never thought that former Police Chief & Mayor Tom Potter, retired Oregon Supreme Court Justice Betty Roberts and former federal prosecutor Kristine Olson would have a more progressive view on medical cannabis dispensaries than the Portland Mercury.

Measure 74 was examined for an entire week by the Oregon Citizens' Initiative Review. The review panel learned about the measure and listened to supporters and opponents of the measure. In the end a majority endorsed the measure, stating, "Measure 74 creates a safe, compassionate and prompt access program for Oregon medical marijuana patients, introduces regulation, and is financially sound."

Measure 74 deserved your endorsement and it deserves to be passed by Oregon voters.

Please, vote YES on 74!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZusHqhky4Q


4
420 SMOEK WEED EVERDAY
5
no on 74 ? are you goddamn retarded ?
6
The M has it's nose up its own A hole!
7
I am glad that you guys see the forest for the trees in this case. No on 74 will protect us, however briefly, from big business and the state taking control of yet another Oregon resource. The State already has control of Tobacco, Alocohol and gambling. Do we really want them to take over and regulate Marijuana too with the reprehensible job that we have as precedent in these other three areas? I don't think so. NO on 74 will keep it in independent control.
8
What were you smoking when you wrote that No on 74 argument? It makes no sense. So we should continue the system where any violent felon can grow for a patient and that is better than a regulated system that prohibits felons for five years after their conviction? And you complain that M 74 moving in the direction of testing is inadequate so we should continue a system with no testing at all. Then you say you are for legalization but say vote no on 74 - the same thing all the anti-marijuana people advocate. You buy into the big O's lie that M 74 doesn't limit dispensaries which isn't even true. If OHA thinks we need to limit dispensaries, M74 gives them the authority to do so - it just doesn't stupidly set some arbitrary number, rather it gives the OHA the power to do so after consulting with local governments on zoning issues which is a much better approach. You legalizers that are against sensible incremental reform are the craziest aspect of this election.
9
thanks for the support of Voter Owned Elections - YES on 26-108!!
If we don't own our elections, only wealthy and powerful special interests will.
10
Measure 74 doesn't give the state control over "another Oregon resource," Lauraloo. The state will license and regulate dispensaries, similar to how pharmacies and restaurants are licensed and regulated. M74 doesn't give the state control over cannabis, like the OLCC has over alcohol. Nor will M74 give control to big business as the measure only allows producers to grow 24 mature plants, hardly enough for a multinational corporation to come in and control cannabis commerce.

Measure 74 doesn't take away any rights from patients--it merely gives more choices to patients, allows cannabis farmers to be rewarded for their labor, creates thousands of jobs for Oregonians and generates millions of dollars for Oregon health programs. If you truly want Oregon to harness this great resource, then vote YES on Measure 74.
11
who paid you to say no on 74?
12
Your objection, reasoning and conclusion in rejecting support for M74 are poorly considered.
The ONLY available option for a newly registered patient, today and under Current OMMA Laws, is to Commit A Felony in order to have Immediate Access.
An OMMP participant is caught in "Catch-22". The law states one is protected From the Law UNTIL you try to obtain this Dr. Recommended treatment.

How is saying NO to 74 Better than what sick people are allowed Now?
You state the regulations don't go far enough. Well, this does allow DHS/OHA More Control and What is they actually "go too far" in the consideration of regulation. Your opposition only worries about Not Going Far Enough.

As far as research goes, Sheesh, let the measure pass and let us find out the Revenue so we Can determine How much goes to research! Medical Cannabis is going to be Quality Tested. Period.

You left out the benefit of the Employment Benefits/Jobs this will contribute to Oregonians.

You left out the New Tax Revenue that will Help Fund other DHS/OHA Programs, like drug treatment and health care.

You left out the Patient.
The Original OMMA was Fatally Flawed by the Omission of provisions to allow for Immediate, Safe and Legal Access.

Why let patients continue to suffer both Physical and Legal Negatives as a consequence of the Absence of Original Access Provisions!
People are Needlessly Suffering and I find that, over money and regulations to be the Greatest Crime of all.

I hope you re-think and re-consider your recommendation.

13
You're voting yes on everything that will cost me money. Shocker!
14
Blabby: And they recommend a "NO" vote on the One measure that will bring Jobs, New Payroll Taxes And generate Millions in a brand new Revenue Resource!
15
do you even know what "effete" means? have access to a dictionary? what the fuck are you describing Wheeler as "effete" for? because he's skinny & wears glasses? what's really stupid is that the rest of your endorsement is excellent. but in trying to be cool, your use of that word makes you look stupid. or worse.
16
Karol Collymore, "Fun Personality", thats great for County Party Planner, we need a Professional with experience and knowledge, "Fun & Game" time is over!...We need results.
17
@Lauraloo-

Right on! I know where your intersts lay...

Did you notice how Mirk and Mercury nicely skipped over the 'cripples who can't grow', by saying something about the rural patients and those who don't hang around with "pot smokers" (like you'd want to hang out with one of these Mercury smokers), or "some other reason". Nice cover!

And that's why I feel today that maybe Mirk and the Portland Mercury is right and I was wrong about Measure 74 too. Dispensaries will only mean less profits for medical marijuana growers who are selling their bud to some of the staff at the Merc, and to the kids who attend Reed College, out of that phony-feminist medical marijuana clinic around the corner (Where is Ryan Lufkin when you need him?). Besides, let these useless cripples who can't grow their own bud buy it on the street corner with the millions they get from social security, or just suffer. A lot of drug money is coming into the Oregon economy because of the illegal medical marijuana business, just like the billions flowing into the American economy through the C.I.A. now that we got the Afghanistan poppy farmers up and running again (Damn Taliband!)Be sure, that drug money is helping support some of the alternative advertisers who support alternative newspapers like the Portland Mercury and its staff.

Vote yes and give Tri-Met everything you have, and more, and more, and more. And be sure to also vote no on 74, and let's keep that illegal drug money coming into the underground economy and Portland's alternative business community.


And finally, if the Hillsboro Police Department want to find any local perverts, I suggest they start by looking in the Washington County Court House, on the third floor-
18
What supporters of "Voter Owned" elections (a demeaning term that suggests my vote prior to this program was bought by monied interests) haven't addressed is the NEED of the program, let alone its' ineffectiveness.
Potter won the election for Mayor, while limiting the donations to $25, against the PBA backed Francisconi - and a much larger war chest of cash- and this was prior to publicly funded elections.
The only 2 candidates that have won any race, Sten and Fritz, using public cash already had broad name recognition prior to thier wins...
Though the program is - relatively- inexpensive, the 2 million we have thrown away for this experiment could have been much more effectively used for roads, services, etc.
19
I have the sense that the Portlnad Mercury endorsing a 'No' vote on measure 74 is just thrown in there to keep cheat sheet voters on their toes. Think for yourself.
20
I have a feeling that the Portland Mercury threw in the 'No' vote to keep cheat sheet voters on their toes. Think for yourself.
21
"If we don't own our elections, only wealthy and powerful special interests will."

So now you own your elections but the powerful and special interests own them after being elected. Hence why Democrats and Republicans are the only parties in this country.
22
After reading all the comments on your "No on 74"I've decided not to bother reading anymore of your "Voters guide".We really,really wanted too?We support legalization?Whatever.Put down the brew and spark one up!!!
23
"no on 74 ? are you goddamn retarded ?"

This is so ironic (Defending the right of the severely disabled to get their medicine while referring to the Mercury staff as being 'retarded'-), but it does show how truly twisted Oregonians are...

Here Mirk and the Merc rejects a system that will for the first time provide a safe, consistent source of medicine for patients who are severely disabled unable to grow their own. That's what Measure 74 really does, and everything else is just the nuts and bolts of how we can get this done in the best way possible. Is it perfect? Hell no! But it's a damn good start and it's a lot better than the California dispensary law. It's a hell of a lot more regulated, and that's exactly why the feds have been targeting Cal dispensaries. Won't happen here if everyone obeys the law-

And that's the funny part. At least 80% of the current growers are selling their extra medicine on the black market. Most are just trying to pay for their expenses because their patients are on fixed incomes. We can do better for these growers who are trying to do the right thing. But then there are growers who are getting fat and arrogant, dealing their extra bud to kids and the staff at the Merc, and anyone else who has a buck.

No the Mercury staff/predators are not developmentally disabled, a mental disability sometimes derogatorily referred to as being "retarded". They know exactly what their doing, although their justification and reasoning is pretty pathetic, reminds me of the Grand Jury report that acquitted Ronald Frashour, who intentionally removed his ear piece shortly before firing his weapon without proper authorization, for the cold-blooded murder of Aaron Campbell.

And that's the funny/sick thing about Oregon politics. The dishonest and corruption is pervasive throughout this community, from both the phony-left (the Kitzhaber supporters who obsess over spelling) and the authoritarian-right (lock up all the poor people and throw away the key, or just kill the worthless bastards!)...

We know exactly who you are at the Portland Mercury, and what you say, and why Matt really escaped from the cesspool you call a newsroom! And what does this say about the advertisers who are financially funding this quasi criminal operation-
Maybe these are the people who belong in prison for income tax fraud, not the pot growers who just want to be happy and healthy, and help others. What a concept-
24
Hooray for testing and regulation! Yes to 74!
25
Ugh...
Schrader a "stalwart liberal"? Did you not get the memo about him joining the Blue Dogs, opposing unemployment insurance, and promoting job-killing trade deals?

Y'all do a fine job covering city politics, maybe you should stick with that.
26
wow so the only people who have a comment are people pissed about 74? Lame sauce. Your probably not even medical users your probably 7eleven trolling big gulp drinking stoners this measure wont make recreational use any less illegal so piss off!
27
FORMER POLICE CHIEF SAYS VOTE ‘YES’ ON MEASURE 74

MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Measure 74 will, for the first time, regulate Oregon’s medical marijuana supply system, making it more accountable. This proposal will allow patients to safely obtain their medicine from regulated, nonprofit clinics.

As the former police chief of Portland, I would much rather see clinics like pharmacies dispensing medical marijuana to qualified, seriously ill patients. Today, patients often must go to black-market profiteers and criminals.

Measure 74 builds on our existing regulatory system for medical marijuana, which has worked well. Currently, more than 35,000 qualified, seriously ill patients in Oregon are registered, carrying special identification cards. That’s a great help to law enforcement officers. They can see who is, or isn’t, legally entitled to use medical marijuana.

WHAT’S MISSING NOW IS REGULATION OF SUPPLY

The big flaw in our law is the lack of a regulated supply system. The result: Too many loopholes. Who can grow marijuana? How much? For whom? Are growers known to law enforcement? Are they subject to inspection?

Failing to regulate supply opens the door to misunderstanding, conflict and abuse. It’s bad for patients and bad for law enforcement.

MEASURE 74 REGULATES SUPPLY
AND MAKES THE SYSTEM MORE ACCOUNTABLE

Measure 74 requires that suppliers be licensed, regulated and accountable, subject to background checks and inspections. They will have to pay fees and taxes.

Medical marijuana clinics must operate as fully accountable, not-for-profit entities. They, too, must pay fees and taxes. The locations of any dispensaries will be regulated.

Measure 74 will create a much safer system for patients, one that law enforcement can supervise more effectively.

VOTE YES on Measure 74 to help seriously ill patients maintain a good quality of life, while helping law enforcement regulate medical marijuana.

Tom Potter, Chief of Portland Police Bureau, (Ret.), and Mayor of Portland, (Ret.)
28
For the sake of MANKIND for once vote the repupublican side ,I have read many of Obama's actual Documents and, it will hang everyone equally if the Dems. Lead in the house and senate. They are ALL LYING !!!!!!!
29
For the sake of MANKIND for once vote the repupublican side ,I have read many of Obama's actual Documents and, it will hang everyone equally if the Dems. Lead in the house and senate. They are ALL LYING !!!!!!!
30
A little TRUTH , Ignore the vidio but dig into the wording.http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apfn.org%2Fapfn%2Fwoes.htm&h=3e64c
31
ugh. keep the facebook shit on facebook, please. Don't you have your own privacy riddled network and everything to do this on?
32
The Mercury acts as if there are only two options. We've seen how the dems aren't going to stand up for progressive causes. At some point one must give voice to an independent, non-corporate movement. Accordingly, here is another perspective, another list of recommendations worth considering: http://www.progparty.org/
33
Where are people who can benefit from the use of marijuana supposed to acquire it when they don't know any growers/drug dealers? Not everyone who can benefit from medicinal marijuana knows how to grow it themselves either. What options are left for these people? Dispensaries.

Yes on 74, obviously.
34
Former Portland Mayor and Police Chief Tom Potter records a radio ad in support of Measure 74. $25,000 has been donated to play this ad statewide! Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGRVpvhuk7c

Progressive Reform of Oregon's commercial supporting Measure 74 being played on cable TV this week on Comedy Central and Spike, reaching unlikely, young voters who overwhelmingly support Measure 74 and may just save the Dems this election as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZusHqhky4Q
35
26-118, Vote no. The Oregon Historical Society needs to fly into the mountain. There are many other institutions that do the same job, but better, i.e. The State Archives, the State Library, the special collections departments of the state universities.... OHS is redundant. The only way that it can be remoulded in to the place it needs to be is for it to be destroyed and rebuilt from scratch. I don't need my tax money to be spent on the preservation of a bunch of miniature circus wagons (the Quigley Collection).

A former OHS member.
36
What the fuck, guys? Is anybody else pissed about the TriMet measure, or are you too busy hitting the bong? Is it not infuriating to you that they're building new light rail and MAX left and right, but slashing bus services where people can really use it- including Fareless Square- while raising rates to $2.35 to ride the FUCKING BUS? And then they have the nerve to ask for this bond so that we can pay for these upgrades? BOO.

TriMet is mismanaging or misspending their money, but because I believe that efficient public transit is necessary, I voted yes. Where can I vote to have these mother fuckin' TriMet dicks out of their jobs?
37
I'd have to say that we should all vote YES on 74. Get it in there, then we can make minor adjustments later, but we need to get the ball rolling on this. People need this, we need to support our decision to use this medicinally. NOW is the time to do tit. VOTE YES!
38
Obviously Mercury readers are pot smoking bike riders. But if you look at measure 74 for what it does, it is the wrong direction. The Mercury's clarity on this issue is the only recomendation that makes sense.
Readers must not give a damn about reelecting Politicians with inept financial skills. If our State goes bankrupt, say goodbye to all entitlements.
39
If Wu can't be held accountable for shitty votes now, when will he ever be held accountable? He's never been better than marginal, so maybe 2 years is a sacrifice we need to get someone better than marginal in.
40
Even before I looked at the message boards, I checked to make sure I was still in Portland, and the response on the non-endorsement of 74 was QUITE predictable.
41
I was visiting Olympia when a lady fell down on the sidewalk and broke her hip. A few of us stayed with her to make her comfortable. It scares me what we would become without emergency responders. I was SO ready to vote yes on Measure 26-117 and then i saw "9/11" evoked right there in the voter summery.

I guess folks have to be guilted into supporting such basic services I can neither tolerate nor stomach that kind of manipulation of our legal process. I hope it passes but I am pissed!

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