Sean C. Morgan
On July 1, the Sweet Home Police Department will begin enforcing what is outlined in Measure 91.
Voters approved the measure in November legalizing the use of recreational marijuana under state law.
The state legislature continues to work on legislation related to the measure, and the City Council is considering how to regulate it locally.
The measure carries its own restrictions, and those are what the police will begin enforcing, when the law takes effect.
“At this point, all we have to go on is Measure 91 itself,” said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. “It’s not simple. Enforcement is not simple.”
In a nutshell:
— Each residence is limited to four plants and 8 ounces of useable marijuana, Lynn said, pointing out that the limit is not per resident but rather per residence. The limit on liquid extract, which may only be obtained from a licensed retailer, is 72 ounces.
— Marijuana plants must not be readily visible to the public, he said, so no plants may be grown in the front yard.
— Marijuana may not be used in public in any of its forms, Lynn said. In public, an individual may carry up to 1 ounce of marijuana, but it must not be visible.
“You can’t sell pot, period,” Lynn said. “Even after July 1, only licensed facilities may sell it.”
No licenses, issued by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, will be issued until 2016, Lynn said.
“You can give it to friends or acquaintances (or family) but may not receive anything for it,” Lynn said. “You can’t use it in vehicles. It is still an intoxicant.”
— Users also must be 21 years old, he said. Persons need to be 21 to possess or grow it. The law includes a section on households with minors, Lynn said, and it is incumbent on the adults not to allow anyone under the age of 21 to use or possess marijuana.
— Penalties and seriousness of violations are scaled based on the magnitude of an offense, possession of or growing too much marijuana.
“That’s a very basic nutshell,” Lynn said. “We’ll actually enforce it. It’s not going to be a free-for-all or just toking up whenever you want. We’re going to enforce it at every turn. There are a lot of penalties associated with the use or possession outside of Measure 91.”
Impaired driving is Lynn’s second concern as a law enforcement official with the legalization of marijuana. Above that is children using marijuana.
“We’ve got to do something as a society, community, city, department,” Lynn said. “We’ve got to look at some way to educate the kids.”
“Just say No” doesn’t work, he said, adding that education focused on improving decision-making in a multi-pronged approach through schools, homes and the city may be the key.
For more information about how Sweet Home police will handle legalized recreational marijuana, call the Police Department at (541) 367-5181.