On June 2, the Bend Chamber set out to clear up some confusion about Measure 91 (the law making recreational cannabis use legal beginning July 1) at Bend’s Town Hall meeting. The panel included members of different parts of the community, including representatives from the legal community, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (tasked with regulating […]
Marijuana
Posted inNews
Stay and Bake
With the new recreational law going into effect in July, all sorts of new businesses will be opening up across Oregon. An interesting niche has emerged—cannabis-friendly lodging—and businesses like Bud and Breakfast have jumped on in. Bud and Breakfast provides listings on its website for weed-friendly places to stay while traveling. Co-founder and CEO Sean […]
Posted inNews
High Time
Bend City Council appoints subcommittee to research local marijuana regulation
With the clocking ticking down to the July 1 launcn date, Bend City Council has created a three member subcommittee to research ways Bend might prepare for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Councilors Victor Chudowsky, Casey Roats, and Nathan Boddie are considering the options the City has for regulating the time, place, and manner in […]
Posted inNews
Smoke Signals 5/20-5/27
Bend Police Dogs
The legalization of recreational weed in Oregon brings about many changes, at least one of which is hard to celebrate. Police dogs are losing their jobs in states where pot is now legal, in large part because their ability to sniff out weed can now invalidate any arrest made where marijuana is present among other […]
Posted inNews
Another Type of Green
Medical and recreational pot businesses have been facing an ongoing struggle with the banking system, often being forced to deal only in cash. Many banks in states like Oregon and Washington have been hesitant to do business with marijuana operations for fear of being federally prosecuted. In February 2014, the Obama Administration introduced new guidelines […]
Posted inNews
Smoke Signals 4/29-5/6
Gone, and Good!
The latest buzz in cannabis news is surrounding the retirement of the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonhart. Leonhart was notorious for coming down hard on folks in the marijuana industry, including medical and recreational businesses operating legally within their state. She also publicly disagreed with the President Barack Obama on his position […]
Posted inNews
Side Notes 2/25-3/4
Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel announced last Thursday that he will not file charges against Kevin Perry and Amanda Weinman in the shooting death of Shane Munoz on June 23, 2012. He explained at a press conference that, based on the available evidence and witness testimony, he is “confident” that a crime was not […]
Posted inOpinion
Open Your Ears
Last Thursday, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission hosted the first official “listening session” on Measure 91 in Central Oregon. The ballot measure legalizing the recreational use of marijuana was passed by statewide voters in November (and passed in Deschutes County 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent), and will take effect on July 1. As evidenced by […]
Posted inNews
Why the Weed Bill Could Fail
In spite of overwhelming political support and funding, Measure 91 is far from a sure thing
According to the political insiders, observers and wonks, there is every indication that Measure 91, Oregon’s voter initiative to legalize marijuana, will pass. The number of organizations lining up to endorse the bill is as long as it is varied: The City Club of Portland, The Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens and the Oregon […]
Posted inOpinion
Pandora’s Bong
In late July, in a rare front page editorial, the New York Times offered its endorsement for the federal government to legalize recreational marijuana. And, last week, proponents for legalizing marijuana in the State of Oregon—an initiative for November’s ballot—announced they already had raised over $1 million for their campaign. Yes, public sentiment certainly seems […]