Big news out of Oregon. Two marijuana reform bills passed out of the Oregon Senate and are now headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Below is a press release from Compassionate Oregon, who has done an OUTSTANDING job this legislative session:
### For Immediate Release ###
Oregon Senate Sends Senate Bills 40 & 82 to the Governor’s Desk
It is with great pleasure that we announce the Oregon Senate’s concurring votes on Senate Bills 40 and 82.
Under SB 82 the driver’s licenses of nearly 5,000 Oregonians a year will no longer be suspended for a conviction for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
Under SB 40, Oregonians will no longer face B felony charges for possession of small amounts of marijuana, (1 – 4 ounces). By adding misdemeanor provisions to the law and the restructuring of other fines and penalties relating to marijuana resulting from a 2010 re-classification of marijuana by the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy from a Schedule I to a schedule II controlled substance.
In addition SB 40 will save the state nearly $3M over the first biennium and nearly $5M after that. SB 82, while not having a official fiscal impact statement, will save the state the expense of sending out notices of suspension.
Both bills again received bi-partisan support and we look forward to the Governor’s signature on these bills.
