PORTLAND — A House committee chairman says the Oregon Legislature should write its own ballot measure to legalize marijuana.
Democratic Rep. Phil Barnhart of Eugene tells The Oregonian that if the Legislature doesn’t submit a measure to voters, someone else will. And, Barnhart says, the Legislature has the best shot at coming up with a workable measure.
The Legislature’s next scheduled session is in February, and leaders have not set an agenda for what’s expected to be a short session.
Barnhart chairs the House revenue committee. He says said marijuana legislation should focus on breaking up criminal gangs, regulating and taxing marijuana, and keeping it out of the hands of children.
