Senate Bill 964 | At the request of: Chief Sponsors: Senator Burdick , Senator Kruse; -- Relating to marijuana; declaring an emergency.

Summary: Makes changes to Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, including limiting amount of plants that may be grown at addresses where marijuana grow sites are located and requiring registration of marijuana processing sites. Becomes operative March 1, 2016. Provides for testing of all marijuana items in this state and requires laboratories that conduct testing to be licensed by Oregon Health Authority. Becomes operative March 1, 2016. Imposes requirements for labeling and packaging of all marijuana items in this state. Becomes operative March 1, 2016. Allows cities and counties to adopt ordinances prohibiting establishment of marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries in jurisdiction of city or county. Provides initiative process by which people of city or county may vote on question of whether marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries should be allowed in jurisdiction of city or county. Declares emergency, effective on passage. >> Learn more >>

You can read the full proposed measure here: >> Read text

Status: Current Location: Speakers Desk - Awaiting Referral

Senate BILL 964 - filed | 2015 Regular Session. Next: Date - TBA

See - https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB0964 - for schedule. - You may also get hard copies if you are in Salem by going to the bill room downstairs in the Capitol.

History:

5-12 (S) | Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

5-14 (S) | Referred to Implementing Measure 91.

5-18 (S) | Work Session held. > Read >> Details

5-22 (S) | Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)

5-26 (S) | Second reading.

5-27 (S) | Third reading. Carried by Burdick, Kruse. Passed.Ayes, 29; nays, 1--Prozanski.

5-28 (H) | First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

See - olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/SB0964 - for latest on status.  

TALKING POINTS:

Hi all,

SB 964 has its third reading today on the Senate floor and will be voted on. Compassionate Oregon is asking everyone that can to call the Senate Dems and ask them to vote no on this bill. We also want to call Senate Republicans as well. If we can keep the vote close it will give the House a better opportunity to defeat this bill should it pass the Senate.

I have attached four talking points regarding SB 964. Fiscal impact, ($17M for the next two bienniums) tracking, inspecting and banning dispensaries.

Senate convenes at 10:30 and SB 964 will be first up to be voted on. It does not give us much time so start with these folks first and then call the rest.

PLEASE BE POLITE and stick to the talking points. DO NOT ARGUE WITH THEM. If a staff member asks you any other questions on the bill you can say you support the sections on testing and labeling but would encourage the member to vote no.

Dem. Senators: Shields 503-986-1722 , Beyer 503-986-1706 , Bates 503-986-1703 , Dembrow 503-986-1723 , Devlin 503-986-1719 , Edwards 503-986-1707 , Johnson 503-986-1716 , Monroe 503-986-1724 , Roblan 503-986-1705

Rep. Senators: Feriolli 503-986-1950 , Baertschiger 503-986-1702 , Boquist 503-986-1712 , Knopp 503-986-1727 , Thatcher 503-986-1713 ,

We are encouraging all members to vote no on SB 964 for the following reasons:

* SB 964 has a $10.6M fiscal impact for 2015 -17 biennium and $6.5M for the 2017-19 biennium.

* SB 964 requires all patients to track and report the production of their medicines and what happens to it after harvest. It also requires all marijuana produced by those designated by a cardholder to produce marijuana for that cardholder be tracked and reported on a monthly basis.

This is an unacceptable burden on the patients especially those that are only growing for themselves or a family member. It is also inconsistent with other proposed legislation with support among members and stakeholders exempting the patient growing for themselves and/or a family member from any reporting requirements.

(Section 5(1)(a) The Oregon Health Authority shall establish by rule a marijuana grow site registration system to track and regulate the production of marijuana by a registry identification cardholder or a person designated by the registry identification cardholder to produce marijuana for the registry identification cardholder.)

* SB 964 allows the OHA to inspect all designated grow sites and their records including those growing for one or two patients. Inspecting all gardens would require the OHA to inspect 3,000 gardens per month for a year. OHA has never inspected gardens due to the expense and lack of resources.

* Allowing local jurisdictions to ban dispensaries keeps sick people from getting their medicines in their own towns. Sec. 32 vests all authority to regulate and tax marijuana with the state yet Sec. 70 – 73, allows local jurisdictions to prohibit dispensaries and processing sites and allows any measure or ordinance adopted to remain in effect during any referendum process.

Opt-out sections requires any local city or county to adopt a ban within 180 days of SB 964 taking effect and reduces the number of signatures required to get a referendum on the ballot but is really no different than what citizens are already allowed to do under statute for a referendum on any local measures and/or ordinance.

Thank you for your time.

Please vote NO on SB 964.