Initiatives

Published on: January 30, 2019

Psilocybin Service Initiative of Oregon, Michael Pollan, and “My Stroke of Insight”

By Laura Orr

The Psilocybin Service Initiative of Oregon is expected to appear on the 2020 general election ballot.

(If you want to know more about psilocybin, read Michael Pollan’s 2018 book, “How to change your mind.” See also books about LSD microdosing (e.g. Ayelet Waldman’s 2017 “A really good day.”) Compare with Jill Bolte Taylor’s 2006 book (and her TED talk), “My Stroke of Insight,” and her description of how the world looked from her right brain (while her left brain was incapacitated due to a massive stroke.) There is also the Psilocybin Wikipedia page and the Denver, CO, psilocybin ballot measure.)

You can also read the full text of the Psilocybin Service Initiative of Oregon LC (legislative concept) at the Initiatives, Referendums and Referrals database (from the Oregon Secretary of State, Voting and Election website).

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Published on: January 29, 2015

Emergency Clauses in the Oregon Constitution and Laws – Referendum Power Reserved to the People

By Laura Orr

“My View: Emergency clause abuses democracy,” Portland Tribune, 27 January 2015, by Richard F. LaMountain

Background:

Oregon Constitution

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Published on: January 27, 2015

Update on the Oregon Ballot Measure Archive Project, 1959-2007

By Laura Orr

The Ballot Measure Archive Project (BMAP) is invaluable for anyone researching Oregon legal history. You can find the digital archives at:

Portland State University (PSU), Special Collections & University Archives. (Currently, find the direct link under “More Collections.“)

Brief Description:

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Published on: January 5, 2015

Oregon Medical and “Recreational” Marijuana Laws

By Laura Orr

For the record, Measure 91 does not mention the word “recreation(al)” and its official “this Act shall be known as” statement says: “Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act.”

Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP), at the Public Health Authority website.

2014 Measure 91: Recreational Marijuana, at the Oregon OLCC website.

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Published on: July 29, 2014

Oregon Statewide Initiatives: How Many Signatures Are Needed? 116,284 or 87,213

By Laura Orr

From the Secretary of State’s “Make or Change State Law website“, as of today:

“The number of valid signatures required to qualify an initiative for the ballot is based on a percentage of the total votes cast for governor at the last election:

For a constitutional initiative, 8 percent (116,284) of valid signatures is required.

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Published on: July 21, 2010

What is a “Valid Signature” on an Oregon Initiative Petition?

By Laura Orr

Questions about Oregon initiative and referendum signature petitions are as old as the petition itself (1902) and as new as yesterday (see History links, below). The latest challenges are to the Secretary of State’s office tossing petition signatures for a 2010 ballot initiative that would change how the state manages legislative redistricting.

There are lots of recent news stories; online news readers can Google (or otherwise search) “oregon initiative petition signatures” with any variations you wish that develop as you read the stories. Don’t forget that the phrase “valid signature” may not be used in a story about petitioner signatures and instead, there may be words like signature verification, authentication, and similar words used in conjunction with the words petitions, signatures, and initiatives.

Keep in mind also that I know little about signature petitions (see Disclaimer, below), let alone the initiative and referendum process (other than as a voter), so come along on my:

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