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POLITICS Pot bill riles cannabis supporters Ashland business owner takes on Senate Democrat Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A legislative battle of wills over pot has inflamed local cannabis supporters who have stepped up their campaign to punish Oregon lawmakers who attempt to pass laws that pot supporters believe hinder legalization efforts. “We’ve been opposing all the bills they’ve been putting forth,” said Alex Rogers, owner of Ashland Alternative Health and Northwest Alternative Health. “I think marijuana is being discriminated against.” Rogers, who has been one of the most vocal critics, has singled out Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, and Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, for promoting legislation he says would weaken medical marijuana laws and Ballot Measure 91, passed by voters in November to legalize recreational marijuana starting July 1. The two lawmakers are sponsors of Senate Bill 964, which would make changes to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act. If passed, it would set requirements for labeling and packaging of marijuana, set limits on the amount of plants at grow sites and allow cities and counties to pass laws prohibiting pot retail shops and medical marijuana dispensaries within their boundaries. Rogers and Burdick have attacked each other through the media and through correspondence, though they apparently haven’t met face to face. Even among legislators, the debate over marijuana legalization has proved divisive this session. A Joint Committee on Implementation of Measure 91 reached an impasse earlier this month, prompting formation of a Senate committee that has crafted its own proposals. Burdick, who didn’t support Measure 91 because she had hoped for a legislative alternative, said she would have preferred Oregonians had waited a little longer before legalization because of the complexities in working out all the details. “I’ve always supported legalization,” she said. “It’s stupid to be throwing people in jail for marijuana.” Burdick said she is interested in crafting legislation that would help address concerns over pot being funneled into the black market, but she said she doesn’t want to do anything that jeopardizes medical patients’ access to cannabis. Some cannabis advocates have been warning Burdick and Kruse that their stance on pot could make them vulnerable when they’re up for re-election. The advocates are particularly upset over the proposal in SB 964 that would allow cities and counties to opt out of allowing pot retail shops. Rogers and others point out that Measure 91 already has an opt-out clause — by putting a ballot measure before voters. Burdick said cities and counties shouldn’t have pot rules “shoved down their throats.” Cities and counties need a chance to devise time, place and manner restrictions, she said. They also need time to assess how medical marijuana dispensaries are working in other communities. “From what I can see, these dispensaries have been clean and very respectable,” she said. Burdick has criticized Rogers for being primarily interested in preserving his business. Rogers fired back with an open letter to Burdick, calling her irresponsible. “Your preconceived notions of me and everyone that opposes Senate Bill 964 are misguided and wrong,” Rogers stated. Rogers said his business is providing marijuana to medical patients. He said Measure 91 wouldn’t benefit his existing business but he still supports it. He said the type of proposals Burdick has suggested would limit the amount of marijuana that could be grown, which he said would have an adverse effect on patients. Rogers said he thinks Burdick is listening to outside interest groups with ulterior motives. “She’s empowering the black market,” Rogers said. Burdick said she’s more interested in controlling the black market and making Oregon a successful place for marijuana legalization. She said SB 964 also would allow medical research of cannabis. One of the proposals she has promoted is limiting the amount of plants at medical marijuana grow sites to address neighbor complaints about the smell. Under SB 964, a maximum 12 plants could be grown at one house in cities, but up to 48 plants could be grown in rural areas. Rural growers could tend up to 96 plants if they grew that many in 2014. Burdick said the more she learns about marijuana, the more she likes it, citing recent studies that show how beneficial it is for children with seizures. “There is no lethal dose as I’ve found out,” she said. Burdick said that for the time being she will stick to wine, but she acknowledges that she has become more curious about pot, which becomes legal on July 1. “I’m no stranger to marijuana,” she said. “I remember the days of ditch weed.” Burdick and Kruse are expected to ask for a vote on SB 964 today in the Senate. "At this point in time there is no accountability for where the pot is going in the medical marijuana program," Kruse said. He said growers produce far more marijuana than a patient can consume, which means a lot of pot is sold on the black market. Kruse said he's trying to come up with legislation that will provide the right regulations to keep the federal government off Oregon's back, while also trying to make accommodations for local cities concerned about pot grows. He said he doesn't want to support any legislation that would harm medical marijuana patients. "If we do it right, we'll skate," Kruse said. "If we don't do it right, we'll get lawsuits." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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