Medical Marijuana Advocates Meet Wednesday to Keep Dispensaries Open in Salem

Patients and dispensary owners say the Commissioner's meeting was kept very quiet, until now.

(SALEM) - Last August, Governor Kitzhaber signed a Medical Marijuana dispensaries bill into law. House Bill 3460 was supported of Oregon’s Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum.

Dispensary owners and Patient co-ops have been anxiously awaiting March 1. The Oregon Health Authority was given until March 2014 to create the rules for security, marijuana testing and other issues.

Today, in a rather bizarre turn of events, we received word that the Marion County Commissioners are meeting at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning and will apparently be discussing the elimination of dispensaries in Salem, Oregon, which are presently operating "in the gray area" as they have for the last couple of years.

They are on the brink of official certification, closing them seems an odd reaction to the new law going into effect.

"Dispensaries are at risk of being closed down in Salem," said Amy Zimmerman, owner of 1st Choice Cannabis, a Salem dispensary. "Everyone needs to show up, in number, so the Commissioners will hear our side of this."

An "all-call" was put out via social media for all activists, patients, friends and relatives to come to the Marion County Commissioners Board Room (1115 Commercial St NE., Salem) at 9 a.m. to speak up for Cannabis and Patients Rights.

"This is an opportunity to voice your opinion and share personal success stories to keep access to this helpful, harmless medicine, in Salem," Zimmerman said.

There are NO documented deaths due to marijuana use, anywhere, in the 5,000 plus years that it is known to have been used. However, 38,329 people died from overdoses in 2010, and 60% were related to prescription drugs. Not marijuana. Over 25,000 people died that same year from alcohol-induced causes. Not marijuana.

Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, Maine, New Mexico, and Rhode Island already have state-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries operating, and the numbers will only continue to grow.

It seems an awkward time to challenge the right for patients to have access to their legal medicine. And perhaps that is not what this meeting is all about at all; we shall see.

Bonnie King has been Publisher of Salem-News.com since August '04. She is a photographer and video producer, writer, editor and mother, which she considers her greatest position. Bonnie has served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas", posts as TV Promotion Director for KYMA (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), Radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER).

Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers and readers alike. An lifetime activist for just causes, she continues to strive to present facts that support Truth, Justice and Peace, as we are in the world to change the world for the better. "TJP"

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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Anonymous February 6, 2014 6:16 pm (Pacific time)

If you actually care about reality, please note that driving under the influence of weed, causing death and serious injury is predicted to surpass alcohol related accidents in less than 2 years. Yeah a harmless herb. May those of you who sidestep this reality have a dose of that reality to all of your family members in spades.

Oh that is a load, people should not drive stoned but it is night and day different from alcohol, not even a slight resemblance. Plus alcohol makes a driver reckless and pot slows them down. This is a natural plant, you guys never had any business trying to regulate it in any way, shape or form.

Chronic Chrisso The Cookie King February 5, 2014 6:00 pm (Pacific time)

I'm bummed too- I tried to call Chronic Solutions today and... argh. Try out here by the west Benton County line, though. Eggs are cheaper in the country- Drive a little- save a lot haha.

Sandy Poli February 4, 2014 9:37 pm (Pacific time)

I believe there is a huge NEED for medicine! People get legal for a reason, to stay within the law. So many are NOT able to grow for themselves. They need options! Don't let the suits win. Show up and be a voice, a positive voice, for the ongoing support of our OMMP program!

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