Download the NORML Daily Audio Stash for 2008-08-11

Today’s Stash is dedicated to two guys who I can’t prove ever toked a reefer, but my Jay-dar tells me they must have at one point in their lives.  Comedian Bernie Mac and Composer Isaac Hayes both died over the weekend and I will miss them.

NORML Board Member Madeline Martinez joins us to share the latest good press on the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act.  The Sunday Oregonian (Portland’s local daily newspaper) fetured her on the front page of the business section in their Five Questions interview.

Then NORML’s Deputy Director, Paul Armentano, drops by to give us the latest updates on the tragic story of Rachel Hoffman in Tallahassee, Florida.

Download the NORML Daily Audio Stash for 2008-07-09

Howdy, Stashers!  Today is my 100th podcast for the NORML Daily Audio Stash, not counting weeekend music posts (when I have the time to put them together, which in summer is “not much”) and NORML Weekly News.  And they said we potheads were amotivational…

Today we get our weekly dose of Cannabis Science with Dr. Mitch Earleywine who is here to cover the World Health Organization’s report on illicit drug use worldwide.  Finally, something other than military budget where the USA isn’t getting trounced by the rest of the world!

Then my friends Paul Stanford and Madeline Martinez, chief petitioners of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, join me to discuss the kickoff of the effort to tax and regulate consumer cannabis and end hemp prohibition in the Beaver State.

And Karri found us some Cambodian pop music from LA for the break today.  Now that’s diversity!  I may need to smoke a little Cambodian before listening to it.  (Not weed.  I play Halo online against a young boy from Phnom Penh.  Kidding!)

Portland’s local ABC affiliate, KATU…

Marijuana initiative would allow pot sales at Ore. liquor stores | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | News
SALEM, Ore. - Relax it and tax it.

That’s the motto behind a new cannabis initiative that would allow Oregon’s state-controlled liquor stores to legally sell marijuana to adults.

Initiative backers said their plan would send 90 percent of the proceeds from the state’s sale of marijuana to Oregon’s General Fund, which could lower Oregonians’ state tax burden.

Smaller percentages would go to funding drug abuse education and treatment programs.

The initiative would also legalize the growing of hemp, a non-drug variant of cannabis that can be used to make industrial-strength fibers and bio-fuels.

Supporters claim that allowing cannabis cultivation and sales through state liquor stores would add $300 million in combined tax revenues and savings to Oregon’s budget.

Paul Stanford of the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act said the measure would also put a dent in illegal dealing of the weed.

“We want to take marijuana out of the hands of children and substance abusers, who control the market today, and put it in the hands of the state’s liquor control commission and the age limit of 21 will be strictly enforced,” Stanford said at a press briefing.

Supporters have two years to collect nearly 83,000 signatures to get the measure on the November ballot in 2010.

There is an online poll at www.KATU.com and at www.KOIN.com asking if you support the measure.  Everybody (except ED) go on to the sites and click a “YES” for us!

More news coverage after the jump…

Read the rest of this entry by clicking here

A press conference introducing an initiative petition, the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2010, and its signature-gathering campaign will be held Monday, July 7th at 10 am at the campaign office, located at 105 SE 18th Avenue in Portland. All media representatives are encouraged to attend. Speakers at the press conference will include Madeline Martinez and D. Paul Stanford, co-chief petitioners for the measure.

OCTA proposes to redirect millions of dollars annually into Oregon’s general fund by permitting cannabis (marijuana) to be sold in retail stores to adults over 21 years of age. The OLCC would be tasked with managing the program, which would license approved individuals to cultivate the product for sale. A portion of the cannabis grown would also be directed to registered cardholders in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. A portion of the taxes collected would go to drug treatment.

In addition, the initiative would permit cultivation of industrial hemp, which could quickly become Oregon’s largest cash crop. Used for clothing, food, building materials, fuel and even plastics, hemp is in great demand but cannot be grown under current law.

Supporters estimate that revenue generated by state-controlled cannabis sales could easily reach $300 million annually. In addition, tourism and related activities would generate at least $50 million annually.

The campaign plans to gather a minimum of 82,769 valid signatures by the deadline of 5pm on July 2, 2010. After the measure has been certified by the Secretary of State, it will be presented to Oregonians for a vote in November of 2010.

For more information about the press conference or the campaign, please contact: Madeline Martinez - 503.313.9929