WHAT’S NEWS:
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The day before adult use of marijuana becomes legal in Oregon, leaders of the drug reform movement will hold a press conference and explain why it matters, what to expect, what it means and what’s next for the drug reform movement.
WHO:
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U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.): Blumenauer has championed several legislative efforts to reform marijuana laws and will provide an update on what’s next for the federal effort to win a better approach to marijuana.
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Measure 91 chief petitioner Anthony Johnson: Johnson co-wrote the new marijuana law, led the campaign to pass it, and will explain why a legal approach to marijuana is better for Oregon.
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Moms for Yes on Measure 91 and Women Grow co-chair Leah Maurer: The mother of three, Maurer co-chairs the Oregon chapter of Women Grow Portland, is organizing Mom-related events, and will speak about how legalization is better for children.
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Racial justice advocate and ACLU executive director David Rogers: A recent ACLU study found that people of color in Oregon are more than twice as likely to be arrested for marijuana, despite no disparity in use. Rogers will discuss how that changes now that marijuana is becoming legal.
WHEN/WHERE:
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2 p.m., Tuesday June 30, ACLU of Oregon, 506 SW 6th Avenue, 7th Floor, Portland.
VISUALS:
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B-roll footage of realistic marijuana use for free, open-license editorial use, courtesy of Drug Policy Alliance, which encourages news outlets to use images that accurately reflect modern-day marijuana consumers.
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Stock photos of realistic marijuana use for free, open-license editorial use, courtesy of Drug Policy Alliance.
BACKGROUND INFO:
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On Wednesday, adults 21 and older in Oregon will be able to legally possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana inside their home and up to 1 ounce of marijuana outside their home. Adults may also grow up to four plants, if they are out of public view.
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Find out what’s legal and what’s not, courtesy of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
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Oregon is now the fourth state, in addition to Washington, D.C., to end marijuana prohibition. Twenty-three states have legalized marijuana in some form.
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In Colorado, the state with the most experience with legal marijuana, reports show violent crime rates and statewide traffic fatalities are down and revenues and economic output are up since the legalization of marijuana went into effect.
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Before Measure 91, 7 percent of all arrests in Oregon were for simple marijuana possession. People of color were more than twice as likely to be arrested or cited for marijuana than white people, according to the ACLU (see p.172 of the PDF).
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Oregon voters in November 2014 decided to legalize marijuana, passing Measure 91 with 56 percent of the vote.
