[420 Girl]

Republicans and Democrats have found one issue they can agree on -- the state should be responsible for growing medicinal marijuana, not patients or caregivers.

A new bill working its way through committee would transfer to the state responsibilities of cultivating, harvesting and dispensing medical pot.

“Our current system isn’t working and we need to move quickly to protect patient safety,” said Rep. Don Maurer, R-Grants Pass.

House Bill 3247 would direct the state to establish and operate a marijuana production facility. The state would control potency and pharmacy distribution.

Pharmacies would in turn provide the prescribed doses to cardholders and primary caregivers.

And to pay for it all, the legislation would impose a $98-per-ounce pot tax.

“Oregonians have voted to authorize the use of medical marijuana, yet the Legislature has failed to provide adequate safeguards for citizens who have a legitimate need for it,” said Rep. Carolyn Tomei, D-Milwaukie.

HB 3247 would also eliminate private medical marijuana grow sites.

Pot farmers have been investigated and arrested across the state for illegally selling marijuana to those without a medical prescription.

Medical marijuana cultivators have also been targeted by burglars, lawmakers said.

“If passed into law, this legislation will implement safe standards to dispense the drug through a tightly-controlled system,” said Rep. Jim Thompson, R-Dallas.

Beaverton Democratic Rep. Chris Barker said the bill would bring pot off the streets and into a “safer and more secure environment.”

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