Salem-News.com Medicine articles Page 9

Oregon Medical Marijuana Program at Risk with Over-Regulation

“The Oregon Health Authority is proposing to destroy the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program by over-regulation that will make criminals out of thousands of patients and the growers who provide for them." - John Sajo

(SALEM, Ore.) - Were Oregon voters boondoggled when they “legalized” marijuana? Some say "Yes". But not by those that brought it forward; no... it was a political move, well played. Three times within the text, it was said that Measure 91 would "retain current medical marijuana laws". Three times. It passed by a 12-point margin by Oregon voters.

Then, the Legislature apparently was overcome by the impression that the (adult and most likely literate) voters did not understand marijuana and they decided to implement changes, for the benefit of said naive adults.

Prescription Opioids and Heroin - Our Kids are Dying!

The talk is not working. The workshops are not working. The government task forces are not working. Education is not working. If it were, the numbers would be declining not going through the roof. Our kids are dying!

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - In the 14 years I have been writing about the prescription opioid crisis which has evolved into a heroin epidemic, my frustration level has elevated.

In July 2007, I testified in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about OxyContin and the criminal conviction of Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin.

Native American Church Files for Order for Return of Sacramental Marijuana

Press Conference is at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Portland Embassy Suites hotel

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On December 17, officials from the U.S. Postal Service in Portland, Oregon seized marijuana being sent to a branch of the Oklevueha Native American Church. Church officials who say that cannabis is used as a sacrament and in healing rituals have filed suit in federal court.

"The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act overrides the Controlled Substances Act and there was no basis for the seizure by the government," said Matthew Pappas, attorney for the church.

Oregon Voters Fighting to Uphold The Color of the Law

Voters had no idea the new cannabis law would hurt patients directly.

(SALEM, Ore.) - When Oregonians responded en masse to allow recreational use of marijuana for adults 21+, they did not expect sick and dying patients to be negatively impacted.

Sadly, it has been an ongoing fight since the day Governor Brown signed it into law. The people of Oregon believed this was a good thing. Finally! The nonsensical prohibition of cannabis, an herb used for 5,000 years, was over in our fair state. Of course the challenge with the Federal government still rages on, but locally, we have made incredible headway. Or so we thought.

Oregon Cannabis Research Task Force and Scientific Advisory Committee Meetings

Representing the rights of Cannabis industry, consumers and patients is a full time job

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - There are several integral meetings regarding the Cannabis industry and the rights of patients and all consumers this week, here are two for your calendar:

The Cannabis Research Task Force will meet January 26. This is the third and final meeting of the Oregon Task Force on Researching the Medical and Public Health Properties of Cannabis – the Cannabis Research Task Force. It is open to the public.

Part 2 - Smoking Gun Series - Is it time for Partnership for Drug Free Kids to be Investigated?

The FED UP! Coalition creates one voice calling for an end to the epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths attributed to opioids (including heroin) and other prescription drugs.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - On December 20, 2015, I wrote an article regarding Partnership for Drug Free Kids and called for an investigation of their finances.

The article was directed to Partnership's new chairman, Michael White (former CEO of DirectTV). The link to this article in the Smoking Gun Series was Part 1 and is provided here http://www.salem-news.com/articles/january072016/partnership-drug-free-kids.php. My concern with Partnership goes beyond their finances which are shown below -- revenue is quite healthy -- enough to provide for an elaborate gala to celebrate in NYC at an expensive venue.

Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee to Meet January 25

Many or all of the 77,620 registered OMMP patients will be affected by these changes, and should be heard.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The next regular meeting of the Oregon Health Authority's Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee will be held Monday, January 25 from 9:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The topic is: marijuana labeling and testing.

The committee is reviewing rules for limited marijuana retail sales and residency; growers and processors; dispensaries; OMMP cards and registry; grow site registration; and labeling, concentration and testing.

Oregon`s Temporary Marijuana Tax: What Dispensaries Need to Know

About half of the dispensaries in Oregon have not registered with the Dept of Revenue.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A temporary 25-percent tax is now in effect for all recreational marijuana products sold at medical marijuana dispensaries through December 31, 2016.

The tax is applied to the retail price of the recreational products. Dispensaries must list the retail price and total tax separately on customer receipts.

The Smoking Gun Series - Is it time for an Investigation into Drug-Free Kids and their Finances?

Drug overdose deaths in the US have soared while much money is being made.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - In recent years, I have had the good fortune of communicating with Mike White while he headed DIRECTV. He impressed me as being a "hands on - take charge" CEO who ran a tight ship.

Earlier this month, Mike became Chairman of Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and my level of concern was peaked. Why would Partnership need the expertise of communications and technology while the country is being ravaged by addiction and death to prescription opioids/heroin?

International Cannabis Business Conference: What if California`s Marijuana Regulations Suck?

Entrepreneurs will learn about California’s new marijuana policies — and how to change the bad ones.

(SALEM, Ore.) - California is on the verge of becoming the world’s largest marijuana market, and the newly-passed medical regulations will make or break businesses. If legalization passes, the market will transform even more.

That’s why business and politics are the themes of February’s International Cannabis Business Conference in San Francisco.