Part 1 Aug Sep 2010 Pg 1-5

Protect Your Rights Workshop

VA Relaxes Stance on M e d i c a l M a r i j u a n a

Josh Brewer Still Fighting

Cultivation: Stop Mold and Mildew

Aug/Sep 2010 Vol. 1 Issue 2

Recipes: Pesto Sauce & G arlic B read

ACL U s u e s W a l - M a rt Oregon Reclassifies M arijuana as M edic ine

Medical Marijuana For Non-Smokers

How M arijuana Works

Dispensar y Measure "74" Makes Ballot

Glasstown U.S.A.

Connecting the Medical Cannabis Community Across Oregon

CANNABIS CONNECTION

F R EE

C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n

I n Th i s I s s u e

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Oregon News Measure 74 on Ballot Oregon's Medical Marijuana Future

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Oregon Reclassifies Marijuana as Medicine

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Another Medical Marijuana Patient Railroaded

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Free Protect Your Rights 420 Workshop Crosses Oregon

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Oregon News Nugs - News From Around the State

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Glasstown U.S.A., Grants Pass and Southern Oregon

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Now, More Than Ever - (Dispensaries)

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National News Wal-Mart is at the Center of a Major Legal Battle Over Patients Rights VA Relaxes its Medical Marijuana Stance

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N.Y. Residents Support Medical Marijuana

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DEA Raids Pot Protestor

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A Couple of Recent Studies the Mainstream Media Forgot to Mention

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National News Nugs - News From Page 11

Around The Country

Medical News How Marijuana Works

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Medical Marijuana for NonSmokers

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Cannabinoids Offer Promising Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease Cannabis and Gastrointestinal Disorders

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R ec ip es Garlic Ganja Bread Patty Pesto Sauce Classic Scooby Snacks Banana Bread

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Cultivation Stop Mold and Mildew - Jenifer Valley Fertilizer Basics

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Clinics & Information A Listing of Oregon Clinics, Organizations, and Businesses

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C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n

Oregon News

Measure 74 On Ballot - Oregon's Medical Marijuana Future

By Cornelius Swart EnzynePDX On July 16, Initiative 28 supporters turned in enough signatures. On August 1st, it was renamed Measure 74.

The ballot measure will ask Oregonians to commercialize the sale of medical marijuana through a system of non-profit dispensaries licensed and regulated by the Department of Human Services. Proponents say it’s the best way to keep patients out of pain and away from the influences of the black market. With strong polling numbers in favor and no organized opposition to date, Oregon could join states like Maine, New Mexico and Colorado by pushing marijuana further into the mainstream.

On a mid-July day in a squat green building off SE Division Street and 174th Avenue, AC/DC played on the stereo and a poster for an event called Hempstalk hung on the wall. Everything smelled like pot. It wasn’t a college dorm room, but a waiting room for a kind of medical marijuana treatment center. This is where Oregon Green Free, the state’s largest medical marijuana advocacy group, runs a club house for medical marijuana users.

The building is one part community center, and one part networking hub where medical marijuana users can connect with others who grow, or just give pot away.

“When you get your card, the state abandons you,” said Oregon Green Free volunteer Brian Wilson. “They don’t tell you

where to go or who to talk too. I was basically left with the black market until I found this place.”

For more than three years Wilson has suffered from deteriorating spinal discs. In 2007, he had a steel plate installed in his neck and several of his vertebrae surgically fused. He says he is in constant pain and that mainstream opiate-based pain killers are too strong, leaving him disoriented and sapped of energy. Wilson says medical marijuana controls about 75 percent of the pain.

However, life on disability and quasi-legal medication left him isolated and at the mercy of the black market.

When Wilson discovered Oregon Green Free, he found new friends, but also people who would recommend him to growers, or would simply give him marijuana knowing that someday he would return the favor.

“This place is my family now,” Wilson said.

“I’ve dropped all my black market friends – except for the guy I go fishing with.”

While marijuana as medicine is legal to own and legal to grow, it isn’t legal to buy it and sell. “A grower can basically get

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reimbursed,” said Wilson.

“But you can only charge for the cost of the materials and utilities you used to grow it. You can’t charge for labor.”

The BOP decision came after months of deliberation and input from the public.

The Oregon Legislature passed SB 728, which directed the BOP to reclassify marijuana to Schedule II, III, IV or V, in August 2009.

Wilson, who’s seen hundreds of patients pass through the doors of Oregon Green Free, said that sometimes the biggest challenge is just finding someone honest, reliable and forthright who can provide a sick person with a constant supply of plants.

That takes reliable personal connections that aren’t easy to come by.

Although Oregon and 13 other states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana for medical use, it has officially remained a Schedule I substance according to the federal government. Most states defer to that federal status.

“We’ve had old people in here with cancer, people who’ve never had pot before in their lives,” said Wilson. “They don’t know what to do.”

Cont. on Page 8

Oregon Reclassifies Marijuana as Medicine

By Steve Elliott Toke of the Town

"This latest decision by a state public health and drug regulatory body to reclassify marijuana as medicine should send a clear message to the federal government," said Caren Woodson, director of government affairs with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a medical marijuana patient advocacy organization.

"The reclassification of marijuana at the federal level is long overdue and certainly ripe for consideration," Woodson added.

Oregon on June 16th became the latest state -- and the first in many years -- to officially reclassify marijuana from its Schedule I status as a dangerous drug with no medical value.

Under the federal Controlled Substances Act, enacted in 1970 as President Richard Nixon introduced the War On Drugs, the U.S. government placed marijuana in an erroneous Schedule I classification, which means it has a "high potential for abuse and no accepted medical value."

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy (BOP) voted 4-1 to move cannabis to Schedule II, thereby recognizing its medical use.

Since then, several attempts have been made to reclassify cannabis at the federal level.

Cont. on Page 8

C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n

Oregon News evidence photos taken inside Joshua's home clearly show cannabis branches hanging from coat hangers near the ceiling. They also show other plant material, which Josh stated were regular garden weeds, and which were included in the evidence collection.

Another Medical Marijuana Patient Railroaded

Wet marijuana is naturally significantly heavier than dried marijuana. The 5.26 pounds of wet cannabis would not have weighed that if it had been allowed to dry properly. When taken into consideration with the fact that four and a half pounds of that cannabis was legal, the case came down to Joshua being in possession of three quarters of a pound of wet cannabis over the limit allowed for his household.

By Melanie Barniskis, Southern Oregon NORML Last September, Joshua Brewer was relaxing in his Medford home when members of the Medford Police Department entered, stating that they were responding to a report of "shots fired." The police had no warrant. As the officers searched through the house, they discovered a handgun. Joshua denied firing the gun and offered to undergo a Gunshot Residue test of his hands.

Medford officers refused to perform the test, which would confirm the presence of gunpowder on his hands had he recently fired a gun. However, officers found something else as well.

Hanging from the ceiling was part of the Medical Marijuana crop which had been harvested the day before. Joshua shares his home with two other registered patients. Under Oregon law (ORS 475.302 and ORS 475.320) each patient may possess 24 ounces of usable marijuana. Usable marijuana is defined in the statutes as "the dried leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis family Moraceae." Three patients in the house mean that legally, 72 ounces, or four and a half pounds might be on the premises.

The statute also specifies that the leaves and flowers must be dried. In order for marijuana to dry sufficiently to be usable,

Cont. on Page 8

Josh Brewer. When told he would only be charged with a misdemeanor if he would admit to breaking the law, he offered his wrists for handcuffs, explaining that he had done nothing wrong.

it must hang for days. Medford police confiscated all of the marijuana that belonged to Joshua and the medicine for his housemates as well. They placed it in evidence bags, sealing them, and sent the bags to the Oregon State Police lab for processing. The weight of the undried marijuana came to 5.26 pounds, of which 4 1/2 pounds was legally present in the house. Joshua was charged with the entire amount.

The marijuana was weighed while still wet. When the evidence bags were opened at the lab, the contents were so moldy that the technicians were unable to identify the "vegetable material" inside the bags. This report was entered into evidence as "unidentifiable." The

By Keith Mansur Oregon Cannabis Connection

Page 4 Green Free South Chapter. She has also written a book, “Cannabis at the Crossroads”, expected to be published in October, which addresses the “reefer madness” that still exists in the minds of many law enforcement personnel.

With many recent examples of law enforcement personnel over reaching their authority, Christine feels it is important to educate as many people as possible. “We created a 3 hour workshop to educate OMMP cardholders and their supporters about their legal rights and how to respond when confronted by an officer of the law regarding their medical marijuana concerns”, she says.

The other people and organizations involved are essential to having a successful tour. Lori Duckworth and Melanie Barniskis of Southern Oregon NORML are instrumental in the success.

Melanie created the website, www.protectyourrights420.org, and writes curriculum, among other activities.

Lori is a main presenter at the workshops and has done all the driving for the spring tour, which is a difficult enough job all on its own. Sarah Duff and Gen Bensinger of the Institute for Cannabis Therapeutics supply critical support, as well as provide snacks, coordinate role-playing, organize logistics, and facilitate the event in general.

A problem Medical Marijuana cardholders in Oregon, and across the country, often encounter is the infringement of their rights by law enforcement. Although Curriculum is intended to help patients most patients properly register with the deal with situations they might encounter state, and comply with all the laws in the with law enforcement, and educate them Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (OMMA), many of these law abiding citizens are coerced, intimidated, or outright lied to by some law enforcement personnel. Inappropriate searches and seizures, misleading statements to patients, and misinformation spread through the press are just a few of the problems Oregon Medical Marijuana Christine McGarvin, Right, and Lori Duckworth during Program (OMMP) the Spring Tour. cardholders encounter but there is a group of like minded citizens that are teaming up about their rights. They use literature, to educate Oregonians about their rights. role playing, audience questions, and presentations to keep the event “Protect Your Rights 420” is a free informative and interesting. Christine workshop that crosses Oregon to teach said “Workshop participants received a medical marijuana cardholders their packet of class materials including a rights and how to protect them. The brochure, copy of a search warrant, and workshop’s creator is Christine McGarvin, role plays.” co-founder of The Institute for Cannabis Therapeutics, and President of Oregon Role plays consist of situations where Cont. on Page 11

M e d ic a l M a r iju a n a C lin ic s Ever y week, call for an appointment

Patient Resource Days Contact local office for schedule

CALL VOTER POWER FOR ALL YOUR MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEEDS!

Por tland Eu g e n e Medford

6701 SE Foster, Ste D 687 River Ave. 1708 West Main St.

5 0 3 -2 2 4 -3 0 5 1 5 4 1 -6 3 6 -4 4 7 2 5 4 1 -2 4 5 -6 6 3 4

www.VoterPower.org

C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n

Oregon News Nugs Oregon Handgun Owners Win in Court

The rights of Medical Marijuana patients to obtain a concealed weapons permit were upheld by the Oregon Court of Appeals on June 16th. Their decision affirmed the judgment of a lower court decision.

Sheriff Mike Winters of Jackson County had denied a permit to an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program cardholder in 2008.

The patient challenged the actions of Sheriff Winters in Jackson County Circuit Court, where Judge Mark Shiveley ruled there was no legal ground for denial of the license. Sheriff Winters appealed the case to the higher Court.

In their decision, the Appeals Court found, “the circuit court correctly concluded that Oregon's concealed handgun licensing statutes are not preempted by the federal Gun Control Act.” The 3 judge panel concluded, “In sum, we are not persuaded that the sheriff is being forced to violate--or even potentially violate--any federal law by issuing a concealed handgun license pursuant to Oregon's concealed handgun

Oregon News licensing statutes.”

Sheriff Winters and Jackson County appealed the case to the Oregon Supreme Court on June 2nd, a day after Sheriff Rob Gordon and Washington County filed an appeal in a similar case, which was argued before the Appeals court with the Winters case, and was also struck down.

Both cases may well be argued together, again, before the highest court in the state.

Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2010 Fails to Make Ballot

The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, or OCTA, failed to gather enough signatures by the deadline on July 2nd to qualify for the ballot in November. After a challenge to the title of the measure was struck down

Oregon Residency Not a Requirement for Medical Marijuana Card

A technicality in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act (OMMA) allows nonresidents of Oregon to obtain a Medical Marijuana Card. Apparently, the bill contains no requirement that a patient must be an Oregon resident to apply for or receive a card from the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program ( OMMP).

Tawana Nichols, manager of the OMMP, indicated that patients will still be required to have a licensed Oregon Physician, either an MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy), recommend medical marijuana. Also, patients are required to obtain their medicine from within the State, and legal protections stop at the Oregon border.

The possibility of legislation being enacted to correct the flaw is likely. In a recent letter to Grant Higginson, Administrator of Oregon Dept. Human Services (DHS), the Oregon Attorney General’s office indicated “the Oregon legislature could limit eligibility for Oregon registry identification cards to Oregon residents” Look for a legislative fix to this issue in the near future.

by the Oregon Supreme Court earlier this year, the time left to gather the required signatures proved too short.

According to Paul Stanford, one of the petitioners of OCTA, said that “the lawsuit delayed the collection of signatures by 2 months”, and also mentioned they “didn’t have $250,000 to get the signatures to put it on the ballot” in that amount of time.

Petitioners intend to reintroduce OCTA for the 2012 ballot. which should be a good year to have it on the ballot due to the presidential election. Voter turnout for presidential election years is usually much higher, and should increase the chances for passage.

A few changes are also intended for the initiative, which include modification to some language and procedure.

They will remove the word “Control” from the proposed administrative agency , the “Oregon Cannabis Control Commission“, to call it the “Oregon Cannabis Commission.” They will replace words like “intoxicants” with “psychoactive” and make a few other changes in wording, as well.

Procedurally, they will change the way the OCC is selected, to have growers and processors elect the members. To make the initiative acceptable to as many Oregonians as possible is the best way to get the most broad spectrum support. The ongoing tweaks and changes will help make it a solid measure.

Page 5 Their new location is also a partnership, between Oregon NORML’s Madeline Martinez and Ben Cunningham. The Café will be located within the Cannabis Commons, which will be a new place to “broaden our services to include the general public,” according to Cunningham. In a recent announcement, Oregon NORML also said “the café and Cannabis Commons promise to become the cutting edge hot spot for all things hemp.”

The cafe follows Oregon's medical marijuana law by requiring memberships and maintaining itself as a private club.

Access is available to current Oregon Medical Marijuana Program registrants who are members of Oregon NORML. Oregon NORML membership is $35.00 for the year, and will be available at the door. Café dues are separate at $20.00 per month with a $5.00 door fee for entry.

New NORML Chapter in Central Oregon

A new sub-chapter of Oregon NORML has opened in Bend, Oregon. The announcement was recently made the Portland office. The new Director for the chapter is Donna Costellano, of Bend.

Donna brings her knowledge and energy to the chapter and hopes to have a good membership east of the Cascades. You can reach Donna at centraloregonNORML@gmail.com

Emerald Empire Hemp Fest 2010

The Emerald Empire Hemp Fest 2010 was held at Maurie Jacobs park in Eugene on July 16, 17 and 18th. The festivities began at 4:20 on Friday and lasted through Sunday evening. 30 or more vendors a day, were present to sell goods, promote their organization, and inform the public about cannabis.

The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation

Portland's Cannabis Café Reopens

Oregon NORML has announced the reopening of their World Famous Cannabis Café. The grand opening was announced for July 31, 2010 at their new location, 322 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, Oregon.

The original Cannabis Café, which was located at 700 NE Dekum St. in Portland, closed on May 5, 2010 after being open only six months. The cafe was the first of its kind in the United States, and provided a place where patients could medicate and socialize. The details are disputed, but essentially a disagreement between the owner of Rumpspankers and Oregon NORML ended what had been a partnership. Since then, Oregon NORML has been searching for a new location for their café.

(THCF) was a major sponsor for the 5th year in a row, with additional support provided by Chez Boutique out of Grants Pass and Kent Smoke Shop from Kent WA. Many other vendors were there with glass pipes, tie dyes, gifts, information, and food!

The venue was excellent, right along the river. Booths were fairly near the bike path, and a stage was set up for Bands and Speakers. A number of bands played, including Henry Turner and Flavor, a Reggae band from Baton Rouge, LA., for their 5th year. Music played most of the time, and people enjoyed the warm weather we had the first 2 days.

Dan Koozer, the director of the Hemp Fest, worked tirelessly (mostly by himself) to bring the Hemp Fest to the new locale. Whether the location will be utilized next year is in the hands of the Eugene Parks Dept. Dan is hopeful that they will approve the site for next years Festival.

Great job Dan, and we look forward to next years festival!

Grow Better With Our Cultivation Tips!

C a n n a bi s C o n n e c t i o n

CLINICS & INFORMATION

MEDICAL CLININCS AND ORGS Alternative Medicine Outreach Program 455 W. Corey Ct., Roseburg, Oregon 97470 (541)-440-1934 Fax (541)-440-1943 www.amop.org

Ashland Alternative Health

180 Clear Creek Dr #103 Ashland, OR 97520 (541) 488-2202 www.ashlandalthealth.com

Compassion Center 2055 West 12th Avenue Eugene, OR 97402-3522 (541) 484-6558

MAMA Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse Portland Office: 5217 SE 28th Ave. (Steele & 28th) Portland, Oregon 97202 (503) 233-4202 Fax (503) 233-8266 The Dalles Office: 502 Washington Street, Suite 203 The Dalles, OR 97058 (541) 298-4202 Fax (541) 296-2983 www.mamas.org

Mercy Centers

1469 Capital St. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503) 363-4588 www.mercycenters.org

NW Resource Center

8957 N. Lombard St. Portland, OR 97203 95030 477-8809 www.nwresourcecenter.com

OMMP Cardholders in Recovery

Meetings Wednesdays 4:30 to 5:30PM 10209 SE Division, Bldg B. Portland, OR (503) 206-1441

Oregon Green Free OMMP Resource Center

2375 Se 174th Ave, Portland, Or. 97233 (503)-760-2671 fax: (503)-345-1157 www.oregongreenfree.net

OGF South Chapter

(541)-210-8790 www.oregongreenfree.net

Eugene Office: 687 River Ave Eugene, OR (503)-224-3051 Medford Office: 1708 W Main St Medford, OR (541)-245-6634

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NORML and the NORML Foundation 1600 K Street, NW Suite 501 Washington, DC 20006-2832 888-67-NORML (888-676-6765) (202) 483-5500 www.norml.org

Americans For Safe Access

1322 Webster Street, Suite 402 Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 251-1856 www.americansforsafeaccess.org

Marijuana Policy Project

P.O. Box 77492 Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 20013 (202) 462-5747 www.mpp.org

JACK HERER.com www.jackherer.com

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES Dragon's Lair

210 Northwest 6th Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 (541) 479-5617 www.dragonslairglass.com

Operation Pipe Dreams

2021 W. Main St. Medford, OR 97501 (541)-773-3165 www.myspace.com/ operationpipedreams

Pandora's Box 1300 6th St. #E Umatilla OR, 97 (541) 922-9237

Oregon NORML

Pandora's Box

Portlandsterdam University

Puffin Stuff – OMMP Services

PO Box 16057, Portland, OR 97292-0057 (541) 239-6110 www.ornorml.org Locations in Portland, Eugene, and Medford (503)-288-2349 www.portlandsterdam university.com

South Coast Compassion Center 2 Locations: 93705 Newport Ln. Coos Bay, OR 97420 (541) 267-0707

325 Park Hill Ln. Sutherlin, OR 97479 (541) 459-3886 www.southcoastcompassioncoalition.com

Southern Oregon Alternative Medicine

836 E. Main St. #6, Medford, OR 97504 (541) 779-5235 Fax (541) 779-0479 www.southernoregon alternativemedicine.com

Southern Oregon NORML

630 W. 6th St. Medford OR 97501 (541) 779-1448 Fax (541) 779-1665 www.so-norml.org

THCF The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation Portland Office: 105 SE 18th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97214 (503)281-5100 (800) 723-0188 Grants Pass Office: 558 NE F St. #1 Grants Pass, OR 97557 (541) 244-4000 (800) 723-0188 www.thc-foundation.org

Voter Power of Oregon Portland Office: 6701 SE Foster Portland, OR. 97206 (503)-224-3051

123 W. Central Ave. Sutherlin, OR 97479 (541) 459-1133 Serving Jackson County (541) 613-4281

Puffs

1908 Ashland St. Ashland, OR 97520 (541)-482-9253 www.puffsashland.com

Ricks Monster Grow

Patient Services, Nutrients www.medicalrick.com (800) 851-3761

Simple Glass Tubes

Oregon Made www.simpleglasstubes.etsy.com

Stoney Girl Gardens Seed Company U.S.A. www.gro4me.com

Sunny Girl Gardens

Premium Organic Soil www.sunnygirlgardens.com 503-788-2349

The Pipeline

1907 Pacific Blvd SE Albany, OR 97321 (541) 981-2364 www.myspace.com/albanypipeline

Tony's Smoke Shop 1318 Northwest 9th St Corvallis, OR 97330 (541) 753-0900 www.tonysintl.com

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