CANNABIS CENTER OPENS

The Southern Oregon chapter of a national group backing marijuana law
reforms will offer education, advice, support for patients

Advocates for legalizing marijuana have opened a Cannabis Resource
Center in downtown Medford.

Organizers of the Southern Oregon chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said the center will
provide education, advocacy and support for medical marijuana
patients and providers, information on marijuana legislation and a
place for support groups to meet. But the center will not distribute
marijuana, medical or otherwise, they said.

"We absolutely forbid the transfer of cannabis for consideration on
the premises," said Christopher Pride, 36, executive director of
Southern Oregon NORML.

Opened Monday in a former real estate office at 1109 N. Riverside
Ave., the center is divided into two sections.

The first is open to the public and includes a meeting room and
offices for a physician and registered nurse, the only paid staff at
the center. The physician's position is currently available. The
registered nurse coordinates groups, gives advice and assists with
medical records for medical marijuana cardholders and others needing services.

The second section, behind a green door, is strictly for cardholders
in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. This section includes a
resource library with computers and Internet access, a cardholders'
store and cardholders' lounge.

Those under 18 will not be allowed to enter unless they are approved
and supervised under OMMP guidelines.

"Kids don't need to be around cannabis any more than they need to be
exposed to alcohol," said Pride, a Southern Oregon University
graduate in business, commercial diver and medical marijuana cardholder.

Medford police Lt. Tim Doney said many other jurisdictions have
similar marijuana resource centers.

"As long as they're not committing a crime, we're not too concerned,"
Doney said.

The center and paid staff are supported by membership dues and
donations from the community. Currently the center maintains 40 to 50
volunteers, Pride said.

Oregon has 20,971 medical marijuana cardholders. Jackson County is
ranked third, with 1,965 cardholders, behind Multnomah and Lane
counties, according to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program Web site.

Pride said primary focuses for Southern Oregon NORML are marijuana
legislation and establishing industry standards for cannabis farmers.

NORML seeks a clear set of guidelines for safety, quality and
taxation of medical marijuana grow sites.

"We are losing billions of dollars in tax revenue as a country,"
Pride said. Medical marijuana providers are not taxed for their
product like other produce farmers, he said, adding NORML would like
to see cannabis farmers pay their fair share of taxes.

"We want to be treated like any other farm," said Pride.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. For
more information, call 550-1656.