Several bills aiming to restrict medical marijuana use in Oregon are making their way through the state’s legislature, once again igniting the discussion over one of the state’s most controversial laws.
The bills, 15 in all between the House and Senate, propose a wide variety of constraints on the medical marijuana program originally approved by Congress in 1998.
Perhaps the most disputed proposal thus far, however, is House Bill 2982, which, if passed, would forbid the Oregon Health Authority from distributing medical marijuana cards to anyone convicted of a felony involving a controlled substance. In addition, the bill would also require criminal background checks of all existing cardholders in the program, which, according to the state, now exceeds 58,000 people.
On Wednesday, a crowd of demonstrators gathered at the Capitol building in Salem as the House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing debating the bill.
“We really need to kill this bill in committee,” said Jennifer Alexander, a supporter of access to medical marijuana, at the hearing. In addition to being an advocate, Alexander is also the wife of a cardholder who is a former felon. “House Bill 2982 puts a huge administrative and financial burden on an already stressed state. And I think it’s cruel and unusual punishment to deny past felons an effective medicine when they have undergone corrective and rehabilitative services. They should have the rights of all other citizens.”
Another proposal, House Bill 2994, for example, would prohibit the growth of the prescribed drug within 2,500 feet of a school or place of worship.
House Bill 3093, would reduce the lawful amount of marijuana a medical cardholder could possess at one time, down from 24 ounces to a single ounce.
Proponents of medical marijuana restrictions, however, cite evidence of corruption in the program. In the case of HB 2982, supporters argue that limiting the number of past criminals entering the program would make it more efficient.
A number of other bills are also seeking to create additional qualifications for cardholders, such as a requirement that applicants be at least 18 years old and prove they are Oregon residents.
The debate over medical marijuana in the current session, despite its intensity, is nothing new. Each year, members of Congress propose a slew of bills looking to either enhance or limit the program and almost all fail to be ratified into law.
Many legislators think this year’s efforts will similarly fail to bring about change.
“There seems to be a rally almost every session,” said Mitch Greenlick, co-chair of the House Health Care Committee. “It’s a very contentious issue, but I see the vast majority of these bills not making it out of committee.”
Still, many advocates said the recent failure of Ballot Measure 74 in November, which would have allowed for privately-owned medical marijuana dispensaries, has inspired the latest wave of marijuana bills. They think the measure, which received support from 44 percent of Oregonians, signaled to opponents an opportunity to make further cuts to the program.
“I think medical marijuana opponents were definitely emboldened by the failed initiative last November, but they are overreaching in this session,” said Anthony Johnson, director of Oregon Green Free Clinical Services in Portland. “Its failure doesn’t mean that voters want to drastically curtail the medical marijuana program.”
At the moment, most medical marijuana legislation has been assigned to either the House Health Care Committee or the House Judiciary Committee, and the majority of the provisions still await a public hearing. Legislators will work to address each bill throughout the remainder of the legislative session, which won’t conclude until June 30.
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