LEGALIZE IT! MARIJUANA INITIATIVE WILL HIT THE STREETS...AGAIN

FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, a small group of Oregonians has tried to
mobilize the states' reputedly large population of pot smokers. But
even as the ballot measures to legalize marijuana went forward in
Alaska and California, the issue has yet to reach the voters here in
Oregon.

Since 1995, the Campaign for the Restoration and Regulation of Hemp
(CRRH) has tried to place the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act on the ballot.
Although supporters have found popular support, they claim their
efforts have stumbled without funding.

Paul Stanford of CRRH also cites a unique detriment to their issue.
"People are afraid," he explained. "Over half the people who claim
they want to sign won't because they are afraid they will face
retribution." But after there were no prosecutions after the
implementation of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act last year, this
concern may ebb.

The Cannabis Tax Act would allow the sale of marijuana through state
liquor stores to individuals over the age of 21. Seeking to
compromise with opposition, proponents have re-drafted the initiative
after it failed to reach the ballot this past election. Towards that
end, Stanford said the next version of the initiative would allow
local governments to opt out and remain "dry" towns. Also, the next
version of the initiative mandates that marijuana will not be
advertised. This is an attempt to avoid the protests that alcohol and
tobacco companies have faced over the past decades in regards to
trying to reach minors.

"The more that we can assure [the middle of the road voter that] we
don't want to undermine our communities or hurt their children's
development, the greater chance we have of being successful in this
fight," concluded Stanford. In January, CRRH will again introduce a
draft of the initiative, and begins looking toward 2002.