Last weekend I attended the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) held at the Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Attendance was approximately 800 professionals along with roughly 25 vendors from various walks of the weed-world-life. I was there with a close friend to learn more facts about the cannabis business and to seek out new ideas for an upcoming novel.
Everything from medical Marijuana dispensaries, to the latest and greatest in vaporizers, dabbing devises, non-toxic pipes, kief separating canasters, trimmers, oil extraction equipment, non VOC hemp oil varnishes, non-profit cannabis organizations, and the local 420 RADIO.org DJ’s on hand to share their woes and wisdom about the trade.
It was not at all what I expected. Two days of lectures from some of the top authorities of cannabis culture and the legalization movement, which included growers, producers, regulators, politicians, lawyers, accountants, and a varied sort of entrepreneurs. Yet, what I walked away with as an attendee was far more reaching than being on the cutting edge of a merging industry.
Some of the highlights were Andrew Sullivan, a renowned international journalist with the most popular blog on the internet, The Dish, who touched on the birth of the legalization movement, how in some ways, “it mirrors the gay rights movement in this country, which was a ten year struggle that has impacted everyone,” and how all political change in the United States is accomplished from “the bottom up.” In essence, it’s the average person who makes it happen. Not some multinational corporation or paid lobbyists with endless supplies of money like many believe. “In fact, it’s an opinion President Obama and I share,” he stated. He went on to discuss policies within the current Administration on medical and recreational Marijuana and how they are unlikely to change their views until the people make their demands known. “It’s not something that’s inevitable.” How the House and Senate are reacting to the new recreational cannabis strategies starting to sweep the country and how they will vote towards change is still uncertain.
U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, who has been a long-time supporter of Oregon and pro-marijuana rights, dating back to the 1970’s with his role in the passing of the decriminalization in this State of less than one ounce of pot, was a refreshing spokesperson for the economic benefits to Oregon if the recreational use of cannabis becomes legal, following the upcoming election. “Politics around Marijuana are weird,” he said during his 45 minute presentation. His discussion for the needed reforms with the Federal drug policy, Taxation and Banking Practice within the trade (e.g. federally enforced cash-only transaction requirements for the current medical cannabis industry, and tax code 280E that doesn’t allow for many common business deductions given to other entities), and how these reforms will be an essential part of the success of this emerging industry. The future of legalizing recreational use of weed and hemp production in Oregon will ultimately be determined by how these reforms play out. His talk was provocative and informing. Paraphrasing what he said: Unless the Feds decriminalize Marijuana from a classification as a Scheduled I drug, the most dangerous and addictive according to current law – the future of medical marijuana and companies involved in its production, processing, and distribution will always be vulnerable to Federal prosecution – forever looking over their shoulders for the DEA to bust down their doors.
The take home message from this 2-day event was simple. Ten percent of the American population uses marijuana, and of that 10%, 6% have used it in the last month with 15% being daily users. Summed up, cannabis is here to stay. No one better talked about the requirements demanded of individuals within and supportive of this industry than, Ed Rosenthal, a 40-year pioneer and “guru of ganja.” Referring to regulators of the proposed OLCC who will be handed the job of carrying out regulations for the new industry in Oregon if measure 91 passes in November: “They are going to do it to you or with you. Get involved … before it’s too late.”
The passage of measure 91, according to one of the panelist, “which isn’t the perfect bill, but the best of its kind to come down the pike especially if you’re pro-change for the betterment of Oregon,” is one step closer in bringing balance to this crazy War on Drugs, a policy which clearly has not worked in the past. Its passage will clearly send a message to Washington that it’s time to reform Federal drug policy, tax laws, and banking practices for this industry. And passage will provide tax revenue to help alleviate some of the costs associated with correcting our ailing social programs, which are crippling Oregon. It will end a long over-due law that has ruined many lives unfairly and unnecessarily in this country. Measure 91 is certainly one of the best drafted bills brought to the table since voters recently passed legislation for legalization in Washington and Colorado with two additional States already moving to draft their own legalization bills by the end of 2015. Ultimately, it will help ease the tax burden on all Oregonians who want a safer, more educated, and more humane State.