News Release from: Healthy Democracy Oregon
CITIZENS' PANEL TO REVIEW  MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY MEASURE
Posted: July 15th, 2010 1:19 PM

Oregon Initiative Petition 28 has been selected for the Citizens' Initiative Review (CIR).   Initiative Petition 28 would establish a medical marijuana dispensary system in Oregon.

Initiative Petition 76, which would allow a non-tribal casino to be established in Wood Village, has also been selected for review.

Two separate panels of 24 Oregon voters from around the state will review the ballot measures during two weeks in August.  The CIR is a reform to Oregon's initiative process meant to provide voters with clear and trustworthy evaluations of statewide ballot measures.

Each panel is demographically-balanced to fairly reflect the entire state electorate.   The panelists will participate in balanced hearings where advocates and policy experts present arguments and information about the ballot measures.  After five days of testimony and deliberation, the panelists will craft a "Citizens' Statement" to be published in the Oregon Voter's Pamphlet.  The Statement will detail the most important information and "key findings" about the measures and will also report the number of panelists who support or oppose the measures based on their evaluation.

The CIR is a project of Healthy Democracy Oregon, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening citizen ownership of, and integrity to, the ballot initiative process.

The reviews, to be held in Salem Aug. 9-13, and Aug. 16-20, are open to interested citizens and the media.

Oregon voters can learn more about Healthy Democracy Oregon and the Citizens' Initiative Review at: http://www.healthydemocracyoregon.org

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