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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Rogue Rovers founder shows company's electric farm vehicle at White House ... SOCIAL MEDIA: Up in smoke! Photos, videos from Southern Oregon ... Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Rogue Rovers founder shows company's electric farm vehicle at White House ... SOCIAL MEDIA: Up in smoke! Photos, videos from Southern Oregon ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Comment By Jim Ulrich MailTribune.com By Jim Ulrich Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Jim Ulrich Posted Mar. 31, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Martin Luther King Jr. once related that “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others”. For over 30 years, in Southern California, I answered that question by combating the illegal marijuana trade. Pursuant to this passion I witnessed its devastation when abused. Currently, as a councilor for the city of Shady Cove, I am now obligated to facilitate its legalization. Whether or not I agree with this is not my option. Elected officials do not have the luxury of picking and choosing the laws they enforce; rather they are mandated to govern all laws with fairness and impartiality. To this point I offer a couple of thoughts on Proposition 91 and medical marijuana. Whereas Proposition 91 was established with definitive guidelines, it was passed with no enforcement funding. As Oregon is a home rule state, city officials are tasked with providing for the common good of its citizens. Therefore it is prudent that we challenge Salem for tax funding in order to prepare for unforeseen consequences. While it is important to establish guidelines in regulating this new industry, we must guard against over-enacting hasty and ill-conceived regulations. However, I am deeply concerned that legislators flush with estimates of the profitability of marijuana sales may view it as the cash cow that will solve government’s budget shortfalls through taxation. In doing so we must learn from Washington’s experience that overtaxing marijuana sales all but negated its ability to compete with drug cartels. If we are serious about using medical marijuana dispensaries toward helping people, then Oregon, by applying marijuana tax money, can become a leader in the research and development of cannabidiol or CBD in marijuana. CBD is non-psychoactive (drug-induced highs) and while having minimal side effects associated with THC, is proving to have significant benefits in various medical applications. These benefits are showing advancements in the reversal of alcohol induced brain damage by offsetting the damages of chronic alcoholism, while also treating schizophrenia and severe social anxiety. Further, while it appears to suppress seizures in children and adults, additional studies also indicate it may provide treatment for multiple sclerosis and rare forms of epilepsy in children. As the list of its benefits grows, initial studies are now indicating it appears to "turn off" a gene that causes cancer to metastasize. Our state leaders need to turn their attention to the potential fraudulent acquisition of medical marijuana cards. While demanding the medical profession closely regulate the criteria for the issuance of these cards, we should also expect patient followup in order to combat chronic abuse. The future of marijuana legalization will not be judged by the biases we now hold. Rather, its success or failure will be answered in Mr. King’s question of “what are we doing for others.” Jim Ulrich is a member of the Shady Cove City Council. By Jim Ulrich MailTribune.com By Jim Ulrich Posted Mar. 31, 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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