The future of dispensaries

In Oregon, one can use marijuana legally for medicinal purposes if that individual obtains a special permit. It is possible that big changes could be in store for medical marijuana patients in Oregon, if a ballot measure to create medical marijuana dispensary systems passes in November.

Currently, people who are enrolled in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, which consists of 36,380 people, have two options in terms of accessing their medical marijuana. They can either grow their own or buy from a producer who sells to four people or less.

The problem with this current method is that some people may not know producers and may be too sick to grow their own. So what are those people supposed to do when they need medical marijuana, but they do not have access?

The ballot measure would create a medical marijuana dispensary system and make Oregon the seventh state to set up a state-regulated dispensary system.

This ballot measure could be what Oregon needs to take a step in the right direction to make sure people who need medical marijuana can obtain it. It would mean easier access to thousands of sick Oregonians who are in need. The dispensaries could just be another option in addition to growing or buying from a producer.

The Department of Health would be in charge of monitoring and inspecting the dispensaries. Each dispensary would have a yearly license and be nonprofit. The dispensaries would be state-monitored and have restrictions on them, such as that they must be 1,000 feet away from schools and residential neighborhoods.

Installing medical marijuana dispensaries should be the next step for a state that legalizes the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. There is, however, a lot of concern about the dispensaries.

Oregon could test the waters and install a few dispensaries following the guidelines set forth in the measure on a trial basis. If problems arise, they can be altered to continue to adhere to the needs of the people using them and still be kept safe. If it proves to be too much of a problem, then at least the test was there. Oregon needs to at least give this idea a chance.

Other states have had problems in the past with lack of control over dispensaries. The dispensaries were abused and the problems were common. Therefore, what Oregon needs to do is cover its bases in this measure and learn from other states such as California, which had issues in the past with medical marijuana dispensaries.

Ultimately, the placement of medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon could lead to more revenue for the state in these times of economic turmoil. They would also create access for people who really need it.