National Organization Files Public Records Requests For Marijuana-Related Records From the State of Oregon
Leaked Study Reveals State Violations of Federal Marijuana Guidance, Raises Questions About State Efforts to Provide Full Disclosure of Public Health and Safety Consequences of Legalization
Contact: Anisha Gianchandani
anisha@learnaboutsam.org
+1 (703) 828-8182
[Alexandria, VA, March 28, 2017] – Yesterday, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a national organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based marijuana laws, formally issued public records requests from the State of Oregon. The requests call for state officials to disclose all internal records regarding the content and the timing of a recently leaked report on marijuana legalization that finds the state of Oregon in violation of Federal guidance regarding the drug.
The report, produced by the Drug Enforcement Section of Oregon State Police, evaluates Oregon’s compliance with federal guidance and reveals a number of serious violations since the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2014. Though dated January 2017, the report only became public in March after The Oregonian unearthed a copy earlier this month and reported on its contents.
“The people of Oregon deserve to know the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to marijuana legalization,” said SAM President and CEO Kevin A. Sabet. “The findings of this report are explosive, and only raise more questions regarding the ability of Oregon to protect public health and safety and abide by Federal guidelines. Was the release of this report intentionally downplayed given its findings? Why was a report produced in January not made public for months? Did state officials interfere in releasing this information due to the troubling findings?”
According to the study, Oregon’s black market has thrived since legalization, including significant marijuana trafficking operations to states that have not legalized marijuana. This lucrative black market has also spilled into foreign countries and fueled criminal activity including money laundering. Additionally, the report highlights concerning trends regarding marijuana impairment among minors since the state legalized recreational marijuana use.
SAM is asking for any documents relevant to the decision not to publish the report. SAM issued two separate public records requests – one to Oregon State Police and another to Governor Kate Brown’s office.
Evidence shows that marijuana – which has skyrocketed in average potency over the past decades – is addictive and harmful to the human brain, especially when used by adolescents. In states that have already legalized the drug, there has been an increase in drugged driving crashes, youth marijuana use, and rising debt. These states have seen a black market that continues to thrive, sustained marijuana arrest rates, and a consistent rise in alcohol sales.
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About SAM
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies. SAM has affiliates in more than 30 states. For more information about marijuana use and its effects, visit https://learnaboutsam.org.