Oppose Drug Criminalization in Oregon
A bill to enhance penalties for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana
in Oregon is being considered in a joint House & Senate Judiciary Committee
Hearing this Monday, April 7, at 1:00pm. Additionally, other harmful drug
war bills, as well as some good bills, are being considered in the legislature.
The marijuana bill, introduced in the house as HB 3643 and in the Senate
as SB 636 "enhances penalty for possession of less than one ounce
of marijuana. Provides that driving privileges of person who chooses not
to agree to diversion agreement, or who fails to complete diversion agreement,
are suspended for six months." DRCNet OPPOSES HB 3643 and SB 636.
Also in the legislature are:
- HB 2900, permitting medical marijuana in the state of Oregon.
SUPPORT
- House Concurrent Resolution 11, urging the federal government
to reclassify marijuana as a prescription drug. SUPPORT
- HB 3623, permitting industrial hemp. SUPPORT
- HB 2434, defining possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance as equivalent to actually delivering. OPPOSE
- HB 3341, enhancing methamphetamine penalties and creating a
crime of being under the influence of methamphetamine, punishable by up
to 10 years in prison and a $200,000 fine. OPPOSE
- SB 1060, creating a crime of being under the influence of or
addicted to a schedule I drug (already ruled unconstitutional), punishable
by up to six months in prison and a $2,000 fine. OPPOSE
- HB 2425, allowing certified copy of analytical reports involving
controlled substances to be accepted as prima facie evidence in all prosecutions,
sponsored by the Judiciary Committee at the request of the District Attorney
Association. Anything that makes drug prosecutions easier is likely to
increase abuse and is bad in and of itself.. OPPOSE
- HB 2426, adding amphetamines to list of controlled substances
used as aggravators in sentencing guidelines, sponsored by the Judiciary
Committee at the request of the District Attorney Association. Bald-faced
attempt by prosecutors to seize more power away from judges. OPPOSE
- HB 2507, creating a crime of being under the influence of a
controlled substance, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000
fine. OPPOSE
- HB 2508, infamous "drug dealer liability act," allowing
drug sellers to be sued for generally defined damage caused by drugs. A
litigation nightmare in the making. OPPOSE
- HB 2580, requires drug testing of all persons receiving or applying
for public assistance, with permanent loss of eligibility after 2nd positive.
There is no need to marginalize these people even further. OPPOSE
Please write, call, fax or e-mail your state legislators. TELL THEM
YOU OPPOSE THE WAR ON DRUGS, and that you are contacting them specifically
in opposition to HB 3643 and SB 636, being discussed on Monday 4/7, in
support of HB 2900, HB 3963, and HCR 11, and additionally in opposition
to HB 2434, HB 3341, SB 1060, HB 2425, HB 2426, HB 2507, HB 2508, and HB
2580.
Contact information for your legislators is available at http://www.leg.state.or.us/senator.html
and http://www.leg.state.or.us/rep.html
on the Oregon legislature's web site, or call (503) 986-1870.
If you can get to Salem on Monday 4/7, please attend the joint House
& Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing at the State Capitol Building,
Hearing Room 50 (basement), at 1:00pm. Updates on hearings and these and
other Oregon bills can be obtained from the Legislative Hotline, (800)
332-2313. (Make sure to call the Judiciary Committee to verify that the
hearing is taking place at this time.)
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