OMMP Changes
“On
balance, the program is working better than either the proponents, or the
opponents, anticipated. With larger-than-expected patient registration and
physician participation,
and with no wide-scale criminal abuses, it would be safe to deem the program
quite successful to date. Other states (and Canada) have requested information
on Oregon's program to use as a model for their own initiatives and registration
systems. The Health Services receives regular feedback from patients who tell
us that the program is working well for them.”
See:
http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/about_us.shtml
On
May 21, 1999, the first registration cards were issued. To date, no registered
patient or caregiver has been convicted of a marijuana-related offense, and the
Health Services has not revoked any issued cards. Annual renewal notices have
been sent out for cards issued last May and June, and renewal applications are
being sent back in.
As
of December 12, 2005, there are 12,052 patients and 5,784 caregivers in the
program. More than 2000 physicians are
participating in the program. These physicians are Medical Doctors and Doctors
of Osteopathy who are in private or group practice, or are in large Health
Maintenance Organizations such as Kaiser Permanente. The program operates
statewide, with registered patients from every county in Oregon.
Some STATs (Note, these as of 11/1/2005)
Number of …
…patients currently
holding cards 12,040
…caregivers holding cards
for these patients 5,791
…Oregon-licensed
physicians who have signed applications (MDs and DOs only) 2,049
…new applications received
(November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005) 5,802
…renewal applications
received (November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005) 5,978
…pending applications on
(November 1, 2005)* 500
*
Pending applications include all new and renewal applications waiting for
initial staff review after being received, "incomplete" applications,
and all application files waiting for receipt of a signed and dated attending
physician "verification" letter.
…patient and caregiver
registry identification cards issued November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005 19,234
…applications denied
November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005 857
Conditions. A patient may have more than one diagnosed
qualifying medical condition. Please
Note secondary conditions on Form when applying!
Agitation related to Alzheimer's
disease <50
Cachexia 338
Cancer 305
Glaucoma 222
HIV+/AIDS 274
Nausea 2,355
Severe Pain 10,525
Seizures, including but
not limited to epilepsy 417
Persistent muscle spasms,
including but not limited to those caused by multiple sclerosis 2,982
Number of patient
cardholders per County*
Benton 146
Clackamas 820
Clatsop 113
Columbia 198
Coos 598
Curry 287
Deschutes 282
Douglas 1,039
Hood River 81
Jackson 1,029
Josephine 742
Klamath 225
Lane 1,590
Lincoln 288
Linn 297
Marion 509
Multnomah 1,951
Polk 148
Tillamook 221
Umatilla 56
Union 67
Wasco 90
Washington 825
Yamhill 183
Combined total patient
cardholder count for: Baker, Crook,
Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa, and
Wheeler Counties. 255
*NOTEs:
To protect the confidentiality of patients, the responses for these counties
have been combined. In a few instances,
to protect the confidentiality of patients, the response given is "<
50." These practices are consistent with DHS policy and HIPAA
requirements. These Oregon Medical
Marijuana Program (OMMP) Statistics data are as of November 1, 2005. Source (Online): http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/data.shtml. Data will be updated and posted on this
website every quarter. You can download a print version of the OMMP Data Update
(pdf)
All
patient and physician names and records are maintained in confidential files
and a database. However, as outlined in the Act, state and local law
enforcement may contact the Health Services to verify if a person is registered
with the program. Law enforcement personnel must provide a specific name or
address, and the Health Services may verify if the person is registered, or has
an application pending. See also 24 x 7
item.
QUALIFYING CONDITIONS
In
addition to administering the registration system, the Health Services was
charged with accepting petitions to add conditions to the list of qualifying
conditions/symptoms covered in the original Act. During the past year, the Division
received petitions to add anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,
adult attention-deficit disorder (ADD), sleep disorder, and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of qualifying conditions. A panel of
physicians, nurses, and patient advocates held meetings to consider these
conditions, and made recommendations to the State Health Officer, Dr. Grant
Higginson.” The results were announced
at the December 2005 Quarterly meeting.
Unfortunately, all the petitions were summarily denied.
OMMP
Director Dr. Higginson stated that it was
his decision not to go forward with initiating a review panel for adding
additional medical conditions and that the decision to discontinue the process
to add six new conditions was made after receiving input from medical experts
who felt there was insufficient methodologically sound evidence to support the
inclusion of these conditions or that there were conflicting findings found in
the research. Patients and advocates
requested full information on specifics of study and rejection.
ADDING ADDITIONAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Ed Glick, a registered Nurse and
Contigo-Comingo patient advocacy group representative, who submitted the
petition, stated that the process was not transparent as who was evaluating the
petition and he was not contacted for the raw data and to verify the data and
information presented. He would like a more specific response regarding the
persons evaluating the petition for who they are and their qualifications and
purpose. Mr. Glick requested the letters and responses regarding the mental
expert’s assessments and conclusions.
The response was that any concerns regarding the decision from the
mental health experts needs to be addressed to Dr. Higginson in writing.
The
last condition to be added was agitation due to alzheimers and is the only
mental health related item currently allowed.
MERCY will follow up on this issue and do our best to determine the
specicifcs of the most recent petition as well as document the procedure in general,
including the survey processes involved.
SURVEY COMMITTEE
There were questions if the program was
monitoring patients and what the program is doing to provide statistics to the
public. Dr. Higginson stated the program was not monitoring and does not see it
happening in the near future. The department’s position is to administer a
registration program; conducting survey information is not part of running the
program. A study can be proposed from an outside group using non-identifying
client information. If the study includes calling clients; additionally, it
would need to go through an institutional review board process.
PLEASE note secondary conditions on your
application!
In the past a survey committee was discussed,
the question is if one should be created. The committee will be charged with
gathering additional data of issues regarding secondary conditions that are not
listed as qualifying medical conditions and encountered barriers with
physicians, caregivers, and medicine.
There
are still some barriers to participation in the program. Some doctors are still reluctant to allow
their patients to participate, fearing federal reprisals. Some patients are
unable to grow medical marijuana at their homes, or find a caregiver to grow
for them.
FINANCIALS
The
program did not receive any general funds during the last legislative budget
session, in fact its hard-won surplus was taken last legislative session. It is entirely supported by patient fees and
they are increasing as of January 2006.
This presents a financial hardship to many patients who are too ill to
work.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT REVIEW
A
Financial Statement Review was presented at the last Quarterly meeting on Dec.
14, 2005. Christian Grorud, the
program support manager, explained the OMMP Financial Statement with the
October 31 , 2005 Financial Statement handout. The handout showed as of
December 13, 2005 the Cash Balance ending was negative $10,184, the effect of
HB 5077. After the surplus was taken via HB5077, the account was not completely
depleted. The cash balance was about $1,030,000, the amount taken about
$902,000, leaving less than $200,000 in the balance. The intention before the
transfer to General Fund was to spend the balance over two years and then
adjust the fee. Dr. Higginson clarified the OMMP was not singled out in the
transfer; all programs with a cash balance were considered. The OMMP surplus
went to other programs in DHS.
Some
funds will be saved on managerial costs for the time being. The OMMP will examine the numbers from month
to month, and if a red light appears, they will explore options to manage
finances better. The most important topic of last meeting was the fee increase;
with the paperwork filed and implemented, Mr. Grorud has not evaluated the
account yet., Fee increase discussion ensued.
FEE INCREASE
Fee
Increase Options were decided by group.
It was decided to select the plan that kept the OHP/SSI fee at $20. A
commitment was made to review every six months. A fee workgroup committee
was formed to look into other areas where patients may qualify for the reduced
fee.
The question if a fee could be waived for
applications that are low-income was not answered at this time. The fee
workgroup committee communicated it was organized to identify applications who
are low-income who were not qualifying under OHP or SSI.
The wide difference between $100 and $20 was
noted and some asked if there could be a fee amid the two figures. The OMMP
would have to recreate the overall projections, change other fees, and go
through rule process. The philosophy on the fees was simplicity and style to
the applicants and the program. If the fees are complicated, there is an
increase cost in running the program.
REDUCED FEE GROUP FINDINGS
Committee was formed to study adding to the
list of qualifying conditions for the Reduced Fee of $20, currently applied to
those who meet the requirements for SSI (Supplementary Social Security
Income) or
OHP (Oregon Health Plan). The fee workgroup explored need-based
options that are easy to verify, such as food stamps, veteran’s benefits,
low-income housing, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Proof of
food stamp eligibility was recommended by the group to qualify for the reduced
fee and asked if it is possible to rewrite it with the new Administrative
Rules. The group will continue to examine other possible programs that could be
used for eligibility proof for the reduced fee.
Concerning
Suggestions for also allowing those who qualify for Veterans benefits and Low Income
Housing. It was too difficult to
isolate need / proof for the Veterans or Housing groups at this time. But, Food Stamps had none of these issues
and was ok’d by the committee. To move
this issue forward, it was requested that testimony on food stamps as
eligibility proof at the rules hearing on December 22, 2005.
However,
prior to adding it, a financial impact analysis must be done and a request was
made of Budget (Chris G.) to do so. No
timeline on this yet.
Quarterly
Meetings Hosted By OMMP
The
Oregon Medical Marijuana Program provides an opportunity for public to discuss
administrative issues with the OMMP management. The OMMP Quarterly meetings are typically held at the Salem or
Portland office every 3 months. To discuss or propose changes one can attend
these public meetings. The MERCY News
Report will endeavor to get copies of all documents and stuff from the
meetings, post in our online library, print out and otherwise Keep you in the
loop! - as we can(!) You can also keep
up on Public Meeting Notices by visiting the OMMP website at:
http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ommp/
The
last was on December 14, 2005 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and was held at Winema
Place, 4074 Winema NE, Bldg 53, Salem OR 97305 in Room 227/228, the usual site
for Salem meetings of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program Advisory WorkGroup,
Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) and such. NEXT MEETING March 23, 2006, 9:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. at the Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite
120C, Portland, OR 97232 - the usual Portland location - and is specifically
for the ACMM.
And
was facilitated by Dr. Grant Higginson, Oregon State Health Officer and
Director of the OMMP <?>. Dr.
Higginson reports to the Public Health director, Susan Allen, who reports to
the Director of DHS, Bruce Goldberg.
Also participating were DHS employees Pam Salsbury, Christian Grorud,
and numerous representatives from patient advocacy groups, other agencies -
including law enforcement - as well as individual citizen-patients with
questions and comments.
Handouts
were December Quarterly Meeting Agenda, September 12, 2005 Meeting Minutes,
October 31, 2005 OMMP Financial Statement, Draft By-Laws Advisory Committee on
Medical Marijuana and Proposed Oregon Administrative Rules Hearing and have
been archived on the MERCY website (MercyCenters.org)
Meeting
called to order by Dr. Grant Higginson, he welcomed the group and invited
introductions. Following the welcome, introductions and announcements there was
a review of September 12, 2005 minutes.
There were no comments and meeting minutes were archived as was. Visit
the MERCY website to view archived versions.
The AGENDA
Welcome, introductions, announcements
Review of September 12, 2005 minutes
Program update and issues
Program Manager Update
Program Staffing Update / Processing Times
Financial Statement Review (Handout)
Reduced Fee Group Findings
Adding Additional Medical Conditions
Survey committee Report (Ed Glick)
Complaints to OMMP from Patients
Other
SB 1085
Proposed OAR for SB1085
24-hour LEDS verification update
Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM)
Other
Albany MM in the Workplace Conference
Washington County Sheriff Concealed Weapons Permit
Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana (ACMM) will
meet: Thursday, March 23, 2006. 9:00 AM
- 12:00 PM Portland State Office Building, Suite 120C (This meeting is open to the public)
Program
Updates And Issues
PROGRAM MANAGER UPDATE
Patti
Gustafson is no longer the Program Manager. Due to the history of recruiting
difficulties, Pamela Salsbury will have a trial period as the OMMP manager. Ms.
Salsbury was welcomed with enthusiasm as the new manager.
Internal
shifting will help cover management responsibilities. Ms. Salsbury will have
more roles as the Program Manager; an Office Specialist 2 will take on Office
Management roles, and an individual with Juris Doctorate (JD) to work on the
legal work of the program. Dr. Higginson will remain involved in management
issues. With this shifting, a workable situation can succeed.
A question if hiring an individual with a JD
will help save the budget without the Attorney General expenditure. It will
probably not be budget saving because the OMMP will continue to work with the Department
of Justice (DOJ) and the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) with every court case
involved, subpoenas, and will continue to seek AAG advice.
It
is projected there will be little savings to the program due to the internal
shift; there will be one manager, senior staff with more office management
role, and the individual with legal training working part-time with the
program.
PROGRAM STAFFING UPDATE / PROCESSING TIMES
Currently, there are eight staff members,
Office Specialist 1 and Office Specialist 2. The two vacant positions cannot be
filled until the hiring freeze is lifted.
As
of December 12, 2005, there are 12,052 patients and 5,784 caregivers in the
program. Application processing times remain very rapid. Application goes from
creation to incomplete in one day. From the date a complete application is
received and a complete letter is sent is two days. From the date an
application is received and cards have been issued is around ten days.
*
The Program offices are Moving to 2nd floor of Portland State building on
Oregon Street. Following the move there
should be a reception area and means for patients - and those who care about
& for them - to get forms, information and, potentially, resolve issues. The end result should be more people getting
their Cards - and subsequent freedom from pain and fear - sooner. The reception area where patients are able
to come into the office will not start construction until February 2006. A
solid wall must be constructed separate from the office for confidentiality
reasons. The plan will not only service clients better, but it will allow
clients to come in to the office, submit applications and payments directly to
the OMMP, rather than the Cashier’s Office, and the applications will be
processed quicker. There will be a ten-day hold on applications paid with a
personal check payment.
*
Phones. Be Patient! This involving changes in phone system. Call times now - x to x; were reduced to
free staff to decrease turn-around time for cards. The turn-around - Card issued and out the door - is appx. 10
days.
GROW SITE REGISTRATION
Card
machine and new Cards for PRMGS due to SB1085 changes. Cards must be issued for new group xxx
(PRMGS). Manager (Pam) estimates 30,000
cards need to be issued, so going to take a while. Also, database changes needed.
No timeline yet established.
*
New forms, etc. for CardHolder
type - PRMGS (Persons Responsible For Grow Site). Criminal background check form, policies and procedures needs to
be developed, produced and distributed.
Instructions, documentation and training also involved.
* The OMMP expects a backlog after January 1,
2006 due to the many changes and is asking for patience. The OMMP is still working on application forms,
FAQ, and basic facts; which depend on the rules regarding criminal background
checks for the PRMGS. Until decisions have been made, the application packets
cannot be distributed.
Ms.
Salsbury informed the work process of the grower card, with the requirements of
1085. The plan is provide a card and a placard with a seal for the grow site
location, without posting names and the actual location. The process is to link
the cards to the database and LEDS, finding a balance of providing information
and confidentiality.
* Technology. Web and database changes are
needed. The website needs to be altered
to reflect changes effective Jan. 1st.
The database needs adjustment to handle new PRMGS and LEDS functional
logic elements. No details yet on
resources available or timeline on these items. The Program has contingency plans in case these objects aren’t
ready when needed.
MM HANDBOOK AND WEBSITE
The handbook is still in the process of
development as proper numbering and sections need attention, with the new
provisions from 1085 to be added. The handbook informs of basic provisions,
such as the amounts and basic how to.
Ms. Salsbury explained that the handbook has
been edited through DHS to amend information as if it were from the department,
to remain neutral. With an edited version that DHS has approved, a committee
was formed to examine the DHS approved version
The handbook has been updated using the
proposed administrative rules and a copy will be provided to Ms. Salsbury to
review for any changes that need to be made; after the administrative rule
hearing is finalized, the handbook will be updated and provided to the Handbook
Committee to review. Although the Handbook Committee has not met, the handbook
is in process.
LEGAL QUESTIONS
Grant
Higginson introduced Shannon O’Fallon as the new Assistant Attorney General,
working full-time for Public Health within the Department of Human Services. A
number of legal questions have already been addressed to Ms. O’Fallon.
Can
a grow site be split between a patient, caregiver, and person responsible for
grow site. The department’s
interpretation clearly states that only one grow site will be registered and
recorded.
The
question of plant definition to be addressed with the advisory administrative
rules committee.
The
placard will state the patient’s card number and date of birth, caregiver card
number and caregiver date of birth, if applicable, and person responsible for
the grow site name and address.
The
application packets are complete, except for the criminal background check. The
statute says the program will run criminal background checks, however it does
not give the program the statutory authority to do so.
ALBANY MM IN THE WORKPLACE CONFERENCE
The
Washburn court case discussion was postponed until the beginning of next
meeting. The conference was attended by OMMP representatives. Concern expressed by … about perceived
negative bias combined with a potential use of patient resources to fund this
as it is a DHS agency involved and the info they disseminated. IE- WorkSource and DrugFree Oregon.
WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT
Issue
Case
won by patient. Leland Berger summarized the circuit court hearing ruling regarding
Washington County’s policy in denying and revoking Concealed Weapons Permit
applications if the applicant was a medical marijuana cardholder. The
judge ruled the sheriff in Washington County does not have the authority to
deny or revoke handgun permits, based solely on the fact that a person is a
registered cardholder with the medical marijuana program. It is
important to let patients know the court ruling does not require the sheriff to
change the policy; patients may decline providing additional information on
forms.
Changes
& How To
MERCY will make an effort
to document processes and procedures for effecting Program changes.
1. WHO. Who to
submit to, who decides, who notifies.
All contacts.
2. FORMs &
INSTRUCTIONs. Forms needed, if any. Instructions. What data elements (bits of info, “fields”) involved and any
logical notes (rules) attached to them.
3. WHEN. Timing
issues; When accepted or due, how long things take, any related group meeting
schedules.
Also, specifically, How To
-
- Petition process. To add
conditions.
- To add NP or
Naturopaths. Other changes thru
Rules Change process.
- Rule Change process. To codify or alter Oregon Administrative
Rules (OAR) text.
- Legislative
process(es). To alter OMMA (Oregon
Medical Marijuana Act) text which then effects OAR text.
- Initiative process. To also
alter OMMA text which then effects OAR text.
SB1085 AMENDs OREGON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT
Limits increased, some affirmative defenses repealed,
other changes enacted
* Senate Bill 1085 increases
mature plant limit allowed per patient from four (4) to six (6) plants.
* Increases possession amount
from four (4) ounces to twenty-four (24) ounces. Mandates that a person, when transporting marijuana, must be in
possession of a registration card.
* Removes “affirmative defense”
for possession of marijuana in excess of allowable amounts.
* Re-defines “immature” as
Plants that have no flowers and are less than 12” in height and 12” in
diameter. These are also considered
seedlings, starts, “clones”, etc. - and not “mature” plants and allows (18)
eighteen.
* Limits the number of patients, for whom a grower can grow
marijuana, at a “multiple patient” grow site, to four (4) patients. Formerly there was no limit.
* Establishes a “grow site registration system” to authorize the
production of marijuana at a third party location.
* Mandates “24x7” system to provide law enforcement with a
verification process that permits access to information twenty-four (24) hours
per day, seven (7) days per week.
* Prohibits a grower from producing marijuana for five (5) years,
if convicted of a drug related offense.
* Prohibits a patient from producing marijuana for five (5) years,
if convicted of a drug related offense and limits the amount of marijuana a
patient may posses to one (1) ounce.
* Permits but does not mandate appropriate health care providers to
assist registered patients in the administration of medical marijuana.
* Creates an advisory committee on medical marijuana (ACMM) to
replace an existing administrative work group (AWG).
Senate Bill 1085 passed
by the legislature in 2005 session took effect Jan. 1st, 2006. At the December Quarterly meeting the
proposed OAR text was reviewed and commented on. It was suggested that issues with the changes be brought - in
writing - to the Dec. 22nd hearing that was to be held.
One thing that the
Program wants to share with cardholders regarding the statute that states
that a grower may only grow for four people per year. You will notice that OAR 333-008-0025(10) states that a person
responsible for a grow site may grow for four patients or caregivers at
any one time. There was
enough documentation of the legislative intent that their purpose was not meant
to limit growers to 4 persons per year.
The OAR is basically the text of
the Act (OMMA) from the legislature translated into rules for the worker bees
in the Program to follow. See our
latest version of the text at: http://mercycenters.org/ommp/libry/OARs_333-008.htm
There was a public hearing for
OMMP Administrative Rule changes on December 22, 2005 in Keizer, Oregon. Shannon O’Fallon, Assistant Attorney
General, cautioned the group to not only express suggestions and changes to the
rules at workgroup meetings, but also to submit suggestions, comments, and
concerns to the Department in writing for the rules hearing that took place
Dec. 22. However, it was noted that the rule making hearing is not the time to
pronounce changes to the rules, but to take written and oral testimonies and
comments concerning proposed changes.
No definitive word yet on exactly what, when, where and how these
proposals are supposed to be accomplished.
MERCY will keep at it.
Section 21, describing “seedling”
or starter plant. It was
noted the mature plant definition is problematic and inconsistent; there are
three stages of a marijuana plant, but only two are recognized. Insistence upon combined parameters of 12
inches of height and flowering not realistic or practical and a request
to remove portion of text requiring all requirements was made. Portland-area attorney Leland Berger spoke
up for patients and caregivers effected by this issue and was informed to make
this request formally and in writing at the Dec. 22 Rules Hearing. It was pointed out to the rules hearing
officer to no effect.
The bottom line is that if/when
your plant is more than 12 inches high it’s no longer considered “immature” and
must be considered part of your six (6) mature plant limit. No word yet on if/how to rectify this
particular idiocity. MERCY will follow
up on this item and especially broadcast any relevant action ideas or
activities.
Also …
Section 17, describing Primary
Care Physician. There was
concern attending physicians at clinics will not be able to operate under the
proposed 333-008-0010(17)(c) “and” on pg. 5 in the Administrative Rule
hearing handout and requests to change “and” to “or”. There was
an argument put forth that the American Board of Medical Specialists is
outdated, delayed, and does not recognize physicians who specialize in medical
marijuana.
The concern was about
interpretation, that consulting specialist utilized by patient co-ops would
have to be referred to by the patients initial Primary Care Physician that
failed to fulfill the patient needs in the first place. Statement by Director was to the effect that
he did not interpret it that way.
Dr. Higginson’s understanding of
the “Primary Responsibility” was explained as requiring an attending physician
who must provide primary health care to the patient, medical specialty care, or
a consultant who has been asked to provide specialty care by the physician; the
physician must be providing one of the aforementioned types of cares. Additionally,
the physician must review the patient’s medical records, perform a physical
examination, and plan to provide follow-up care. Physicians who operate with
the clinics should not be affected, if they provide primary health care, review
of medical records, physical examination, and plan for follow-up care in a
written statement.
The patient should determine
what primary heath care is, from 333-008-0010(17)(A) “to the patient”,
and list the physician they consider who provides primary health care.
Dr. Bayer - a noted physician
and patient advocate - requested this be noted in the minutes and suggested
that the rule be codified in case the Director was not available to insure a
proper interpretation. Individuals and
groups in agreement with this proposal were directed to the change request
process. MERCY will follow up and
document this as best we can.
Also, New Registration
Application and Verification section, after 24. Clarification for 333-008-0020(4) was given, the OMMP will verify
information on applications, but not all steps for contacting and verifying are
required. Sub-section 4 text implies
all steps required which is un-true as well as costly.
Medical marijuana patients will
no longer have to rely on ID cards and their own verbal assurances when law
enforcement comes calling. A comprehensive online database of patients is
planned to be operational by summer’s end, if SB 1085 becomes law.
The bill Mandates the OMMP to
provide law enforcement with a verification system that permits access to
information twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week - referred
to as “24/7” and “24x7”. This requires
state health officials to establish the 24-hour accessible database system of
registered marijuana grow sites and patients that will allow police to verify a
person is a cardholder at any hour of the day.
Police will be able to access
the database at any time, day or night. But officers cannot arbitrarily search
the system - it can only be accessed when a person tells police he or she is a
registered medical marijuana patient or that a property is a registered grow
site.
The database has been in Health
Services’ plans for more than a year, and passage of SB 1085 allows these plans to become a reality. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is a
division of the Department of Human Services.
“It will benefit both sides,”
said Pam Salsbury of the state-run Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. “It’s here
to make things easier for the patient, but it also helps law enforcement.”
The database will be a component
of the Law Enforcement Data System, which is used by police departments
throughout the state. Health Services is working in conjunction with Oregon
State Police in the preliminary stages of testing, but the database could be
used by local departments as well.
“It would be a great tool for
us,” said Sgt. Mike McCarthy of the Springfield Police Department. “We could
pull up a name right away and see whether or not they have a card.”
The system was slated to be
up-and-running by Aug. 1, but unforeseen complications at both Health Services
and the Oregon State Police pushed the date of operation back to the end of
August. A committee met to iron out differences between law enforcement, Human
Services and advocacy groups. Ms. Salsbury reported the program is actively
working on it, even though it is required by January 1, 2006, it seems doubtful
“24/7” will be ready by then.
“It took a little longer on both
ends,” said Salsbury. “Our main concern is protecting the confidentiality of
patients, caregivers and sites.”
The terminal connection is
completed; yet, the testing portions have not been completed. There is a
standstill between DHS and Oregon State Police (OSP) regarding the Memorandum
of Understanding. Working with OIS, the memorandum is nearly finished. LE is
also communicating with OIS and the testing will be done through the OMMP.
Database changes and allocation
of system resources not yet complete, work is in progress. Terminal connection established, testing
plan to be initiated soon. Also, Database changes need to happen in conjunction
with this system feature. While there
is not a definite timeline for all the components, the program has contingency
plans involving manual procedures until the automated systems come online. The OMMP intends to be confident in “24/7”
producing accurate and complete information before it is made ready for tests
and LE.
Security and confidentiality
issues were raised and answered at the December Quarterly meeting. First, the
communications lines involved are secure connections - even the remote ones -
and prohibit potential thieves from accessing address information.
Second, LE is aware of the
requirement to keep inquiry and verification information confidential. The
program is mandated to allow LE to verify; the information LE receives from the
OMMP is “yes” or “no” only. It was clarified that LE does not have access to
the OMMP database and cannot go through the system to create any lists.
The use
of 24/7 is for verification purposes and responsibility to create a log that
the OMMP can verify to ensure the persons using the system are logged. There
will be an audit reporting system in place to alert administrators to
“phishing” for information or other abuses by police or others authorized to
inquire. “Phishing” refers to gathering
of confidential information under the color of authority and would apply to any
law enforcement official or group who tried to build a list of cardholders for
harassment or any other unwarranted purpose.
There will be a log created to
track those using the system, such as a badge number or agency. If it appears
LE are searching for information, the OMMP will be notified. The OMMP is trying
to make the system that is easy to use for LE while protecting patients,
caregivers, and persons responsible for grow site.
There does appear to be some
potential equipment and training issues.
Not all vehicles have a LEDS unit and announcing the garden address over
the radio would be tantamount to publishing in the local newspaper, in some
circles.
There will be two phases with
“24/7”. In the first phase, the OSP
will have access via client’s card number, full name, and date of birth. Due to
technical script language with spaces there will be a second phase where
address verification is added.
If the grow site is in a rural
area, how will the physical location be checked in “24/7”? It was
agreed the grow site location listed on the application should be the address
patients tell LE. The topic of using GPS coordinates, tax lots, and rural
properties will be addressed later when more technical issues are smoothed out.
Senate Bill 1085 mandated the creation
of an Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana to replace the existing
Administrative Work Group, that is, to appoint an 11 member advisory committee
(to advise the Director of DHS) 'from persons who possess registry
identification cards, designated primary caregivers of persons who possess
regiatry identification cards and advocates of the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Act.' Specifically -
***
SECTION 7.
(1) There is created the
Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana in the Department of Human Services,
consisting of 11 members appointed by the Director of Human Services.
(2) The director shall appoint
members of the committee from persons who possess registry identification
cards, designated primary caregivers of persons who possess registry
identification cards and advocates of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.
(3) The committee shall advise
the director on the administrative aspects of the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Program, review current and proposed administrative rules of the program and
provide annual input on the fee structure of the program.
(4) The committee shall meet at
least four times per year, at times and places specified by the director.
(5) The department shall provide
staff support to the committee.
(6) All agencies of state
government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the committee in
the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to
confidentiality, to furnish information and advice that the members of the
committee consider necessary to perform their duties.
***
The most salient feature of this
section is that no one who opposes the OMMA is on the committee. This is
significant because, since its inception, the advisory committee has included
law enforcement, and, because the Legislative Advisory Committee also included
law enforcement.
The Advisory Committee was defined in assisting with
administrative aspects, administrative rules, and fee structure. The department
will continue to provide support for the effectiveness of committees. The
authority of the Advisory Committee will stem from the charter and bylaws, but
being an advisory committee, is without state level authority. This committee will be merely advisory, and
the director can reject advice from the advisory committee once it is formed.
additionally, advisory committee meetings are likely subject to Oregon's open
meeting laws, so that any interested person can get notice of the meetings and
attend.
irrespective of whomever is
appointed to the Advisory Committee, Dr. Higginson (our state health officer) will
allow all to participate. the director could make some patient and caregiver
positions elected (but doesn't have to, but cannot appoint law enforcement. In
addition to patient and caregivers, he has to appoint other advocates.
The Program will recommend 20
qualified candidates who indicate a group representing a broad constituency and
the Director of DHS (Bruce Goldberg) will select the 11-member board from this
pool. Interested candidates were to submit a brief explanation why they want to
participate on the ACMM and their qualifications to be on ACMM to the OMMP -
attn Pam Salsbury - via mail, fax, or email. Individuals can also recommend and
suggest others for the ACMM. The list
of candidates will be submitted to the H.S. Director (Bruce G.), who will
complete the selection process.
This committee will have its
first meeting Thursday, March 23,
2006 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Portland State Office Building in Suite 120C. The ACMM will be open meetings under Oregon law. ACMM Bylaws have been published by the OMMP
and are available at: http://mercycenters.org/ommp/libry/Bylaws-ACMM-Draft.htm
A
Detailed Analysis of SB1085
by
Leland R. Berger, esq.
Background
and Legislative History1
Win or lose a statewide initiative, some legislative
response seems inevitable. Following passage of the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Act (hereinafter ‘the Act’ or ‘OMMA’) at the November, 1998 General Election,
for example, the 1999 legislature amended the Act at the insistence of law
enforcement, restrained only by legislators who believe that the initiative
power reflects the voice of the people, and by supporters of the Act. The
narrow defeat of Measure 33 at the 2004 general election, combined with the
passage of a bill in the House during the 2003 session that died in the Senate
made some legislation amending the OMMA this session inevitable.
Following the 2003 session, Senator Bill Morissette
(D-Springfield), (the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee
who refused to give the 2003 bill that passed the House a hearing in the
Senate), wrote to Dr. Grant Higginson, the State Health Officer, requesting he
convene an interim legislative advisory committee. This committee, composed of
patients and their advocates, program administrators and law enforcement
representatives met 5 times. Although law enforcement representatives refused
to attend the final meeting to discuss the compromise Dr. Higginson had
drafted, some advocates (including our own Brian Michaels) presented this draft
to Senator Morissette who in turn introduced it as SB772.
Hearings were held before the Senate Health and Human
Services Committee, however, the Committee closed before the bill was
finalized. The bill was re-introduced as SB1085 in the Rules Committee at the
request of Senator Morissette and Senator Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg, Vice-chair of
the Senate Health and Human Services Committee). Subject to an agreement on
amending it in the House, the Bill passed out of the Senate Rules Committee
and, by a unanimous vote, out of the Senate.
By the time it got to the House, the only Committee still
open was the House State and Federal Law Committee. The previously agreed upon
amendment was added, but also stuffed into the bill was a provision amending
ORS §475.340 in a way which would have allowed employers to discriminate
against patients based solely on their use, and, in doing so, would have
legislatively ‘fixed’ the Court of Appeals’ decision in Washburn v. Columbia
Forest Products, 197 Or App 104, 104 P3d 609, rev. allowed 339 Or
156 (2005). With these amendments, SB1085 passed back out to the Senate, where
it seemed as if it were dead.
During the final all night session of 2005 Legislature, a
Senate Conference Committee deleted the offending amendment and the bill passed
out of the Senate, and re-passed in the House. On August 29, 2005 the Governor
signed this bill into law. The amendments will become effective on January 1,
2006.
Section 1 amends the OMMA’s definitions
statute, ORS §475.302, in two ways. It adds to the definition of ‘Delivery’
this sentence: ““Delivery” does not include transfer of marijuana by a registry
identification cardholder to another registry identification cardholder if no
consideration is paid for the transfer.”
This is somewhat ambiguous as application of this
definition to the term ‘delivery’ as it is used elsewhere in the Act2 can
create a construction contrary to the intent of this legislation. The clear
intent of this section was to codify that cardholders sharing medical marijuana
(including ‘usable marijuana,' seedlings or starts and mature plants) are
protected from state criminal law, so long as they are within the limits, and
not engaging in unprotected activity.
The second amendment is to define a “Marijuana grow site”
as ‘a location where marijuana is produced for use by a registry identification
cardholder and that is registered under the provisions of Section 8 of this
2005 Act.’ More on this in the discussion on Sections 8 and 9, below.
Section 2 amends ORS §475.306 (the statute
governing limits for cardholders) by repealing the limits (they are re-defined
in Section 9) and also repealing the cardholder affirmative defense for being
over the limit. It enacts a new requirement, at law enforcement’s request, that
cardholders who are ‘using or transporting marijuana in a location other than
the residence of the cardholder’ must possess the registry identification card
when doing so.
More significantly, Section 2 amends the direction to the
Department of Human Services to define by rule when a plant is mature and when
it is immature by enacting this definition: “a plant that has no flowers and
that is less than 12 inches in height and less than 12 inches in diameter is a
seedling or a start and is not a mature plant.” The legislative intent here was
that to constitute a ‘mature plant,’ all three prerequisites must be met.
Section 3 amends §475.309, the registry
section of the OMMA to include a requirement that a new category of person
(denominated ‘the person responsible for the grow site’) register, and also
requiring that the applicant (i.e. patient) state in writing “whether
the marijuana will be produced at a location where the cardholder or designated
primary caregiver is present or at another location. It also adds ‘the person
responsible for the grow site’ to cardholder and designated primary caregiver
to define which people can collectively possess the permitted amounts of
medical marijuana.
Section 4 extends the protections of the
OMMA to licensed health care professionals in licensed health care facilities
who are administering medical marijuana to a patient who resides in the
facility. Denominated the ‘Ken Brown’ provision, for the Measure 33 co-chief
petitioner who was paralyzed from the neck down in an accident involving a
drunk driver, this provision was a part of the legislative advisory committee
proposal. At the request of counsel for the Oregon Medical Association, this
section also clarifies that no licensed health care professional may be
required to administer medical marijuana, and, paralleling language from
§475.340 related to employment, provides that no licensed health care facility
is required ‘to make accommodations for the administration of medical
marijuana.' It also provides that if the method of administration of the
medical marijuana is smoke, that there be adequate ventilation.
Section 5 amends §475.331, relating to
disclosure of registry information to law enforcement. It expands the required
registry to include ‘the address of the authorized marijuana grow sites.’ It
mandates that the Department of Human Services develop a system which would
allow law enforcement to verify, 24 hours a day/7days a week whether a person
is registered as a patient or a designated primary caregiver. It codifies the
current practice of requiring ‘adequate identification, such as a badge number
or similar authentication of authority.’ Most significantly, post-Raich,3 it
prohibits the rerelease or use of this information ‘for any purpose other than
verification’ that the cardholder is a cardholder and that the place is an
authorized marijuana grow site.’ Although Section 5 does not require the
creation of a Person Responsible for a Marijuana Grow Site registry, advocates
for the OMMA anticipate that the Department of Human Services will include such
a registry as a part of the registry required to be created under Section 8 of
this 2005 Act.
Section 6 adds to the OMMA the new
material contained within Sections 7,8,9 and 10 of the 2005 amendment.
Section 7 creates a formal Advisory
Committee to codify the existing process. In the summer of 2002, patients and
their advocates protested the Department’s decision to withhold the issuance of
cards incidental to their discovery of three cards being issued where the
attending physician’s signature was forged. The ad hoc committee met
monthly at first, and has met quarterly for the last two years. One interesting
facet of the new advisory committee is that the director of the Department of
Human Services is required to appoint 11 members ‘from persons who possess
registry identification cards, designated primary caregivers of person who
possess registry identification cards and advocates of the Oregon Medical Marijuana
Act.’ As law enforcement has consistently opposed the Act, presumably the
committee will have no law enforcement representation.
This provision was a part of the legislative advisory
committee’s proposal, originally introduced as SB772.
Section 8 is entirely new, and was the
result of legislative compromise4. This section mandates
that the department create ‘a marijuana grow site registration system to
authorize production of marijuana by a registry identification cardholder, a
designated primary caregiver who grows marijuana for the cardholder or a person
who is responsible for a marijuana grow site.’ The grow site registry card is
issued to the registry identification cardholder (patient), who is required to
display the card at the grow site, whenever marijuana is being produced. If
marijuana is being cultivated for more than one registry identification
cardholder (patient) at one grow site, each registry identification
cardholder’s grow site registration card must be posted there.
This section also provides that:
All usable marijuana, plants, seedlings and seeds
associated with the production of marijuana for a registry identification
cardholder by a person responsible for a grow site are the property of the
registry identification cardholder and must be provided to the registry
identification cardholder upon request.
If a patient is convicted of manufacturing or delivering a
Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance, the patient’s grow site registration card
is restricted in that the patient is prohibited from cultivating for 5 years.
The patient could still designate a person responsible for a marijuana grow
site to cultivate for him or her, but the patient could not be present at the
grow site. A similarly convicted non-patient would also be so restricted. A
second violation results in a lifetime restriction.
Finally, this section authorizes the patient or the
designated primary caregiver to: reimburse the person responsible for a
marijuana grow site for the costs of supplies and utilities associated with the
production of marijuana for the registry identification cardholder. No other
costs associated with the production of marijuana for the registry
identification cardholder, including the cost of labor, may be reimbursed.
Section 8a clarifies that the grow site
restrictions incidental to MCS/DCS convictions only applies if the conviction
relates to a ‘violation of ORS 475.992(1)(a) or (b) that occurred on or after
the effective date of this 2005 Act.’ The intent here was that the offense post
date the act, not just the date of the conviction, so as to avoid ex post
facto problems.
Section 9 sets the new limits for
production and possession under the OMMA. Patients can have up to 6 mature
plants, 18 marijuana starts or seedlings and up to 24 ounces of usable
marijuana. Unlike current law, there is no distinction in amounts depending on
whether one is at the marijuana grow site or away from the garden. Patients
whose cards are restricted by virtue of an MCS/DCS conviction are limited to
possessing one ounce.
Multi-patient gardens are more complicated.
If the patient, or the patient’s designated primary
caregiver is not present at the garden, the ‘person responsible for the
marijuana grow site’ may produce up to 6 mature plants, 18 starts or seedlings
and may possess up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana for up to four registry
identification cardholders or their designated primary caregivers per year.
Thus, a total of 24 mature plants, 76 seedlings or starts and 6 pounds of
usable marijuana may be present at such a location. When the garden ceases
producing marijuana, or upon request from the patient or the patient’s
designated primary caregiver, the person responsible for the grow site must
provide all marijuana produces to the patient or the cardholder’s designated
primary caregiver.
What is less clear are the different permutations which
currently exist. For example, in a multi-patient dwelling, where all are
present at the garden site, it would follow that there could be 6 mature
plants, 18 starts or seedlings and 24 ounces for each patient. As there is no
restriction in the OMMA as to the number of patients for whom a person can be
the ‘designated primary caregiver’5, it should follow that
such a caregiver actually present at the grow site should be able to cultivate
6 mature plants, 18 starts or seedlings and possess 24 ounces for each patient
for whom the person is providing care. There was some discussion during the
hearings on SB772, however, suggesting that the legislature reads the statutory
definition of ‘designated primary caregiver’ less broadly than do the advocates
of the law.
OMMA advocates hope and expect that these scenarios will
be clarified through administrative rulemaking.
Section 10 codifies the current practice in
many counties limiting the number of plants or quantity of usable marijuana
seizable by law enforcement to those plants or seedlings or usable marijuana
‘that are in excess of the amount or number authorized.’ This would prohibit
the practice of other counties where law enforcement have a scorched earth
policy of taking all the medicine.
Section 11 corrects an oversight in the
section protecting physicians by clarifying that the physicians who are
protected are the ‘attending’ physicians. See, ORS 475.302(1), OAR
333-008-0010 (1).
Section 12 repeals the that portion of the
affirmative defense for non-cardholders which allowed medical necessity
evidence to explain possession or cultivation outside of the statutory limits.
It does not repeal the overall defense, and leaves intact the choice of evils
defense and the ability to present medical necessity evidence.
The 2005 legislative amendments to the OMMA are
principally predicated on three premises. The first, articulated by Stormy Ray,
(a co-chief petitioner of the 1998 initiative) during a hearing before the
Senate Health and Human Services Committee is that the production of
therapeutic cannabis for patients is a charitable event. The second,
articulated repeatedly by Stormy Ray Foundation board member Jerry Wade is that
the patient owns the medicine. The third, explained in some detail on the SRF
website6 is the ability to produce a perpetual supply of
therapeutic grade cannabis using 18 starts and six mature plants.
The fundamental flaw here is two-fold. First, although this system may work for
Stormy and Jerry, it will not work for all patients. Most simply stated, it presupposes that codifying the ability to
share medicine will make up for crop failure.
Second, for many outdoor annual patients and their growers, the limits
are inadequate to provide for a year’s supply.
And lastly, those for whom more medical cannabis is medically necessary
will be unable to defend against MCS/DCS/PCS charges, and will be left only to
argue mitigation at sentencing.
On the other hand, many, many patients who are currently
outside the protection of the OMMA will be able to come within the protection.
The new limits are higher than any other state legislature has approved.
Codification of 24/7 access for verification and the restriction on the
redistribution of the patient verifying information will greatly help patients.
And the legislative mandate that convicted patients be restricted only as to
cultivation creates an additional argument why probationers should be allowed
to use this medicine while on probation.
* About the author: OCDLA Sustaining member Leland Berger practices statewide
from his home in NE Portland. The
assistance of . . .
Attorneys Anthony L. Johnson and Brian L.
Michaels, and OMMA Advocates Dr. Rick Bayer (Co-chief Petitioner,
OMMA [1998]), Madeline Martinez (Executive Director, Oregon
NORML), Alicia Williamson (Board Member, Oregon NORML), John Sajo
(Voter Power, Co-chief petitioner and spokesman for Measure 33 [2004]),
and Laird Funk (Volunteer Lobbyist)
. . . in the drafting of this article is gratefully
acknowledged.
1 Legislative History of SB
772 from Oregon Legislature’s website:
SB 772 By Senator MORRISETTE -- Relating to medical
marijuana.
2-21(S) Introduction and first reading. Referred to
President's desk.
2-23 Referred to Human Services, then Ways and
Means.
3-10 Public Hearing held.
4-28 Public Hearing held.
6-1 Work Session held.
8-5 In committee upon adjournment. Legislative
History of SB1085 from Oregon Legislature’s website: SB 1085 By COMMITTEE ON
RULES (at the request of Senator Bill Morrisette and Senator Jeff Kruse) --
Relating to medical marijuana.
6-23(S) Introduction and first reading. Referred to
President's desk.
6-27 Referred to Rules, then Budget.
7-1 Public Hearing and Work Session held.
7-8 Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be
referred to Budget by prior reference. (Printed A-Eng.)
7-14 Work Session held.
7-19 Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.
Second reading.
7-20 Third reading. Carried by Kruse, Morrisette.
Passed. Ayes, 30. Carter, absent, granted unanimous consent to be recorded as
voting aye.
7-21(H) First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Referred to State and Federal Affairs.
7-29 Public Hearing and Work Session held.
7-30 Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be
printed B-Engrossed.
8-1 Rules suspended. Second reading.
8-2 Third reading. Carried by Flores. Passed. Ayes,
39; Nays, 14--Ackerman, Avakian, Barnhart, Beyer, Buckley, Dingfelder, Hansen,
Holvey, Kropf, Merkley, Nolan, Rosenbaum, Shields, Wirth; Excused, 2--Barker,
Brown; Excused for Business of the House, 5--Farr, Greenlick, Kitts, March,
Thatcher. Vote explanation(s) filed by Tomei.
8-3(S) Rules suspended. Senate refused to concur in
House amendments. Ayes, 19; Nays, 11--Atkinson, Beyer, Ferrioli, Kruse, Morse,
Nelson, Starr, B., Starr, C., Westlund, Whitsett, Winters. 8-3(H)
Representatives Flores, Olson, Macpherson appointed House conferees.
8-4(S) Senators Prozanski, Atkinson, Morrisette,
appointed Senate conferees. Work Session held.
Conference Committee Recommendation: The Senate concur in House
amendments dated 07-30 and B-Engrossed bill be further amended and repassed.
(Amendments distributed.)
8-4(H) Conference Committee Report read in House.
8-4(S) Rules suspended. Senate adopted Conference
Committee Report and repassed bill.
Ayes, 26; Absent, 1--Whitsett; Attending Legislative Business,
3--Deckert, Devlin, Westlund.
8-4(H) Rules suspended. House adopted Conference
Committee Report.
2 The term delivery is
included in the definition of “Medical use of marijuana” in §475.302(7) (post
1/1/06, 475.302(8)), in explaining the scope of exception from state criminal
law in §475.309(1), in §475.316(1)(c) and (1)(d) in explaining what conduct
takes one out of the protection of the law (delivery to a noncardholder or
delivery to anyone for consideration) and in §475.342, explaining generally
that what is not authorized by the OMMA is not protected from criminal
prosecution.
3 Gonzales
v. Raich, 542 US ___, 125 S. Ct 2195, 162 LEd2d ___ (2005)
(Holding that congress’ commerce clause power authorizes the federal
criminalization of the personal, intrastate cultivation, non-commercial
distribution and medical use of therapeutic cannabis.)
4 In addition to Senators
Morrisette and Kruse, Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene) and Representative
Steve March (D-Portland) were closely involved in the drafting of this bill.
5 Although not central to
her ruling in the case, Senior Klamath County Judge Karla Knieps opined, in a
Clackamas County case, that as there is no statute or administrative rule
authorizing a designated primary caregiver to provide care to more than one
patient, there was no protection under the OMMA for those who did so. DHS
raised a similar argument in the defense of a declaratory judgment action.
6 www.stormyray.org/ommaway/patient_garden.htm
Mercy Center Hosts GlassWare Parties for Patients
Medical
Cannabis Patients who utilize (plexi-) ”glass” blown pipes and hookahs have a
dilemma. They can’t just go down to
their local smoke shop simply ask for what they need, conversing in an
intelligent manner about their specifics.
NOTE: "Smoke Shop" Protocol
for Medical Cannabis Patients - Translate Buzz-words, Don’t Use Drug-Speak
Y'see,
when in the store, conversations must be carefully controlled, even in the age
of OMMA. Anyone heard using words
like: Bong, Hash-pipe or any word that
implies illegal intent in the store - could be a local LEA yokel on a
boon-doggle or even a DEA agent or informant on a fishing expedition - and the
owner could be fined, shut down or even jailed. No joke. Just ask Tommy
Chong.
OMMA
didn't fix anything in this area, it's the same old drag. SORRY!
But, federal law applies, so watch yer terminology! Yep, it's a silly game we ALL must play til
WE change the law.
In the
meantime, GlassWare Parties are an excellent opportunity for medical cannabis
patients to examine and inquire about this particular means of medicating in
privacy and comfort.
For
example, a GlassWare Party was arranged at the MERCY Center Sat., Jan. 28th
from High Noon to 4:20pm featuring the very functional glass art of Smokin'
Glass of Portland.
Smokin'
Glass sells only the finest quality functional glass art and other
products. Sure, WE all know what else
they can be used for, but we can't talk openly about it in the store.
Cardholders
were able to come preview beautiful, practical "glass" products and
accessories in a nice, SAFE, friendly environment where people can discuss the
FAQS openly and straightforward.
Smokin'
Glass has supported individuals and groups in the medical cannabis movement
since the concept began. They help as
much as they can publicly, mostly by patiently educating consumers on the law
when purchasing their functional glass art for use as delivery devices while
giving them the best price they can.
Stop on by their new location in Portland at -
1408 SE 39th, a half block north of Hawthorne up 39th, next to Jiffy
Lube
- and
ask about their water-pipes (NOT "bongs"!) and other functional glass
pieces that OMMA cardholders may be interested in.
For more information, like to
arrange your own GlassWare Party, please call MERCY at 503.363-4588.