Oregon initiative to sell marijuana in stores

PORTLAND -- Could marijuana ever be sold in retail stores in Oregon?

If supporters of cannabis legalization have their way, that could be a reality as soon as November of 2010.

This week, marijuana legalization activists kicked off a campaign to collect more than 80,000 signatures, enough to put that plan onto the statewide ballot in 2010.

The group says millions of dollars would flow annually into Oregon's general fund through the sale of marijuana to adults over 21 years old.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission would manage the program, which would license approved individuals to cultivate the product for sale.

A portion of the taxes collected would go to drug treatment.

Oregon already has a medical marijuana program.

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Information from: KGW-TV, http://www.kgw.com/