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Oregon Measure 80, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2012)
| Cannabis Tax Act Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Initiated state statute |
| Topic | Marijuana |
| Status |  |
The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act Initiative, Measure 80, was on the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot as an initiated state statute, where it was defeated. The measure would have created a seven-person statewide cannabis commission to regulate the cultivation and sale of cannabis.[1][2]
Election results
- See also: 2012 ballot measure election results
| Oregon Measure 80 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| No | 923,071 | 53.42% | ||
| Yes | 810,538 | 46.58% | ||
- Official results from the Oregon Secretary of State.
Text of measure
The official ballot title was:[3]
Result of "Yes" Vote: "Yes" vote allows commercial marijuana (cannabis) cultivation/sale to adults through state-licensed stores; allows unlicensed adult personal cultivation/use; prohibits restrictions on hemp (defined).
Result of "No" Vote: "No" vote retains existing civil and criminal laws prohibiting cultivation, possession and delivery of marijuana; retains current statutes that permit regulated medical use of marijuana.
Summary: Currently, marijuana cultivation, possession and delivery are prohibited; regulated medical marijuana use permitted. Measure replaces state, local marijuana laws except medical marijuana and driving under the influence laws; distinguishes "hemp" from "marijuana;" prohibits regulation of hemp. Creates commission to license marijuana cultivation by qualified persons and to purchase entire crop. Commission sells marijuana at cost to pharmacies, medical research facilities and to qualified adults for profit through state-licensed stores. Ninety percent of net proceeds goes to state general fund, remainder to drug education, treatment, hemp promotion. Bans sales to, possession by minors. Bans public consumption except where signs permit, minors barred. Commission regulates use, sets prices, other duties; Attorney General to defend against federal challenges/prosecutions. Provides penalties. Effective January 1, 2013; other provisions.
Support
Supporters argued that legalization had the potential to raise an estimated $140 million in taxes for the state of Oregon and save $60 million in law enforcement costs.[4]
Supporters
- Country music singer Willie Nelson.[5]
Campaign advertisements
In mid-March of 2012, Paul Stanford, a marijuana legalization activist and owner of THCF Medical Clinics, was approached by country music singer Willie Nelson for help in obtaining an Oregon medical marijuana card. Stanford asked Nelson if he would publicly support the OCTA initiative, Nelson said yes and the video to the right appeared on YouTube.com on March 15, 2012.[5]
Tactics and strategies
The campaign in support of the proposed measure was kicked off in late March 2011 following the approval of the petition for circulation by state officials.[6]
Opposition
Nine former directors of the Drug Enforcement Administration signed a letter to the U.S. Justice Department asking it to oppose this measure and similar initiatives in other states. From the letter: "We urge you to oppose publicly Amendment 64 in Colorado, Initiative 502 in Washington and Measure 80 in Oregon. To continue to remain silent conveys to the American public ... a tacit acceptance of these dangerous initiatives."[7]
Polls
- See also: Polls, 2012 ballot measures
- According to a SurveyUSA poll conducted from September 10 to September 13, 2012, 37 percent of respondents were certain to vote 'yes' on the measure, while 41 percent were certain to vote 'no,' and another 22 percent were not certain which way they would vote. The survey interviewed 700 Oregon citizens and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percent.[8]
|
| Date of Poll | Pollster | In favor | Opposed | Undecided | Number polled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 10-13, 2012 | SurveyUSA | 37% | 41% | 22% | 700 |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Oregon signature requirements
In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 87,213 valid signatures by July 6, 2012.
On July 13, 2012, the Oregon Secretary of State reported that the measure was qualified to appear on the ballot with 88,887 verified signatures.[9]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Willamette Weekly, "Activist Begins “Oregon Cannabis Commission” Petition Drive for 2012," January 20, 2011
- ↑ KATU, "Man pushes to legalize pot through initiative process," January 21, 2011
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Initiative 9 ballot title," February 25, 2011
- ↑ KATU News, "Push to sell marijuana in Oregon kicks off," March 28, 2011
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Oregonian, "Willie Nelson throws his support behind proposed Oregon marijuana initiative," March 20, 2012
- ↑ KPTV, "Petition To Legalize Pot Circulating In Oregon," March 28, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Consumer Affairs, "Justice Department Urged to Oppose Marijuana Ballot Initiatives," September 20, 2012
- ↑ SurveyUSA, "In Oregon, Obama Under-Performs 2008, But Still Sits 9 Points Atop Romney in 2012; 4 Ballot Measures Examined:," September 2012
- ↑ Initiative 9 (status)
 |
State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
|---|---|
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