Oregon Ballot Measure 91 (2014)
Oregon Ballot Measure 91 was a 2014 ballot measure in the U.S. state of Oregon. Its passage legalized the "recreational use of marijuana, based on regulation and taxation to be determined by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission".
Measure 91 was the third initiative seeking to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Oregon following; previous measures were 1986's Measure 5 and 2012's Measure 80. (Medical use of marijuana was legalized in Oregon in 1998.) Measure 91 passed by approximately 57% to 43%. Most polls leading up to the election showed majority support for legalizing recreational marijuana use among adults.
Contents
Implementation
Effective July 1, 2015 (per Section 82(1)) the measure legalizes the possession and use of marijuana for adults 21-years of age or older. Adults can carry up to one ounce of marijuana, keep up to eight ounces at home per household, and grow up to four plants per household.
Retail sales outlets will be set-up by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which must begin accepting applications on or before January 4, 2016.
Fiscal impact
Estimates project that the initiative would generate between $17 million to $40 million per year in tax revenue. Potential cost savings for the state and local governments was noted though not explicitly identified in monetary terms due to uncertainty of the measure's full effects on marijuana-related convictions and fines.
Opponents and proponents
Opponents
In September 2014 the Oregon District Attorneys Association and Oregon State Sheriffs Association launched an organized opposition, Vote No on 91.Local opponents included The Oregon Pediatric Society, the Oregon chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Medal of Honor recipient Robert D. Maxwell, state representatives John Huffman and Gene Whisnant, state senator Tim Knopp, the Oregon Republican Party, and others.
Proponents
- City Club of Portland
- Democratic Party of Oregon
- Earl Blumenauer, Democratic representative for Oregon's 3rd congressional district
- Jeff Merkley, Democratic Senator from Oregon
- New Approach Oregon
- Oregon State Council for Retired Citizens
- The Oregonian Editorial Board
- The Register-Guard Editorial Board
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Yes | No | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | October 23–27, 2014 | 552 | ± 4.3% | 52% | 41% | 7% |
| Elway Research | October 26–27, 2014 | 403 | ± 5.0% | 44% | 46% | 7% |
| SurveyUSA | October 16–19, 2014 | 561 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 37% | 15% |
| DHM Research | October 8–11, 2014 | 516 | ± 4.3% | 52% | 41% | 7% |
| SurveyUSA | September 22–24, 2014 | 568 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 40% | 16% |
| SurveyUSA | August 1–5, 2014 | 564 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 42% | 6% |
| SurveyUSA | June 5–9, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 41% | 8% |
Results
Source: Oregon State Elections Division
