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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregonians Will Vote On Marijuana Legalization In November

Chris Lehman
/
Northwest News Network

An initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in Oregon qualified for the November ballot Tuesday.

Oregon's measure would go further than Washington's by allowing people to grow their own marijuana. But like Washington, the drug would also be available in state licensed stores.

Peter Zuckerman of New Approach Oregon, the campaign pushing for legalization, said the measure would bring in badly needed tax revenue.

"The current approach feeds the black market," he said. "That money is going to drug dealers right now and it could be going to more important things like schools and police and drug prevention."

Law enforcement groups in Oregon have expressed concern about the ballot measure. Both major party candidates for governor have also spoken out against it.

A different marijuana legalization measure failed in Oregon two years ago.