Oregon Supreme Court Tosses Challenge to Oregon Cannabis Tax Act Ballot Title

A monumental ballot measure like this will make Oregon a national leader in ecological innovation and sustainable jobs.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Oregon Cannabis Tax Act (OCTA) campaign learned today that the Oregon Supreme Court dismissed the only challenge to the OCTA ballot title.

The challenge – filed by Bradley Benoit from the Beaverton area – was mired in an earlier comment regarding the summary explanation. The comment requested the summary of the measure describe in detail the fact that the Oregon Attorney General would be responsible for defending Oregonians, and the law itself, should there be a federal case.

This comment was addressed and the Attorney General included Benoit's comments in the revised certified ballot title. In an attempt to stall the signature gathering effort Benoit filed a supreme court challenge to the title stating his comments were not fully addressed.

This decision from the Oregon Supreme Court sends a clear message to Benoit that his concerns were adequately addressed in the certified title released after the comment period.

This decision also marks a pivotal step forward in the process to collect signatures on a ballot measure that will end prohibition on adult marijuana use and industrial hemp.

A monumental ballot measure like this will send millions to the state general fund for state programs, including Department of Human Resources and public schools and jump start an industry that will make Oregon a national leader in ecological innovation and sustainable jobs. Chief Petitioners on the measure include Madeline Martinez, and D. Paul Stanford.

The campaign has started a sweeping pledge effort in the last few weeks to garner support for and awareness of OCTA and the challenge to the ballot title. This pledge effort will translate into signatures for the petition.

The chief petitioners will need to gather 125,000 signatures by July 2, 2010, to secure a spot on the November 2010 ballot. Templates for petition circulation will be finalized in the next 10 business days.

In the words of Paul Stanford, “Now is the time to end senseless prohibition, increase access for medical patients and open Oregon to an international market of hemp production, creating jobs and sustainable industry here.”

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Anonymous March 30, 2010 7:31 pm (Pacific time)

when are people finally going to get the point? We have no states anymore, everything is federal. exactly what the constitution forbids. It doesnt matter what the state laws are anymore. dog and pony show, waste of time. The federal agenda is not Oregon agenda, and the governor of Oregon will support the federal agenda. But, on a more positive note, this kind of stuff does wake people up, and hopefully will make change. Maybe if people see how stupid making marijuana and most of all HEMP being illegal, will wake people up, but I doubt it.

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