Portland, Oregon is one of the most progressive places in America. So it’s shocking to many that the City of Portland is proposing some harsh changes to marijuana policy. See the action alert below, and do what you can please:
Today the Portland City Council is voting on regulations for marijuana businesses — and there’s a provision that we’re worried will be bad for medical marijuana patients.
It would prohibit medical or recreational dispensaries from being within 1,000 feet of each other. That means there likely would be some areas where patients with debilitating diseases would struggle to get access to the medicine they need. Such a rule would also prevent good people with good ideas from entering the market, and make it easier for the criminal market to remain strong. Imagine if McMenamins wasn’t allowed to enter the craft beer market because someone opened up first within 1,000 feet of them and all suitable locations were already zoned out because of a 1,000 foot rule.
Please contact the Portland City Council today to let them know what you think. You can reach the mayor’s office and leave a message by calling 503-823-4120. Also send them an email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].
We also have other concerns:
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Patients may have to pay state and local taxes for their medicine, even though they don’t have to for other prescriptions.
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Under another proposed rule, both medical and retail outlets would have to pay a licensing fee of $975.
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Medical dispensaries would then pay a renewal fee of $2,000 while retail stores would pay an additional $4,175 upon renewal.
These rules are contrary to the intent of Measure 91, which was designed to allow businesses to outcompete the criminal market. More than 70 percent of Portland residents voted for Measure 91. Please contact Portland City Council Members and urge them to uphold the will of voters.
