Cannabis Advocates Run For Office

OCC Staff

After covering the increased popularity of running for public office in the last issue, a whole lot of people filed to run before the March deadline in Oregon. The state’s Primary election is May 17, so be ready to support the candidates who support cannabis!

Federal:

Kevin Stein: Kevin is a city councilor from Medford, and is challenging Ron Wyden for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate from Oregon. He filed many months ago to challenge Wyden and was a solid supporter of medical marijuana in Medford when they were trying to ban sales and cultivation, and supports legal sales and the industry as a whole. He is up against a U.S. Senate incumbent, which is a tough fight, and he needs your support during the May 17 Oregon primary election if you are a Democrat! His website is www.kevinstine.org/.

Statewide Positions:

Cliff Thomason: Cliff is a realtor from Grants Pass (Independent Party) running for Oregon Governor. Thomason is a co-owner in Oregon Hemp Company (ORHEMPCO), is from Southern Oregon and is a supporter of medical marijuana and legalization of cannabis. He hopes to unseat current Governor Kate Brown, who is seeking re-election. His campaign website is www.makeoregongreat.com.

Brie Malarkey: Brie is the owner of Breeze Botanicals dispensary and former dairy and pig farmer. She is running for District 55 State Representative as a Democrat. The district is huge (second largest in area) and covers from Shady Cove, northern Klamath County, up to Prineville and down to Lakeview. It’s a conservative, solidly Republican district, so she has her work cut out for her. Find out more about her campaign at www.briemalarkey.com.

Stormy Ray:One of the leaders to get the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program approved in Oregon and the founder of the Stormy Ray Cardholders Foundation, Stormy is running for District 30 State Senate, the seat currently held by Sen. Ferrioli (Republican) of John Day. It is a huge district covering part of 12 counties from The Dalles down to Madras and across to Baker City and Ontario, and also all of Harney and Malheur Counties. This is also a conservative region in most areas, but not too much in the far west. Visit her Facebook page for more info at: www.facebook.com/StormRay4StateSenate30/.

Tyler Gabriel: Tyler is a Cannabis Consultant for DiamondTREE in Madras and a Medical Cannabis Grower. He is running for District 55 State Representative. The district is in Central Oregon and reaches from The Dalles over through Jefferson County and a northern portion of Deschutes County. “The state of Oregon seems to think that they can eliminate the medical marijuana program and eliminate medicine from their patients and have it all taxed as if they’re recreational users,” Gabriel told the NWNewsService.org. Find out more at his Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/Tyler-Gabriel-A-REAL-VOICE-for-the-People-of-Oregon-1698201550420947/

Local Positions:

Shayne Christen: Shayne is a member of the Oregon Sungrown Growers Guild, a longtime OMMP medical marijuana grower and patient, and is running for Josephine County Commissioner for the countywide position being vacated by the controversial Cherryl Walker. Josephine County is Jackson County’s little brother, and will do many things similarly to their larger Eastern county. Hopefully Shayne can make them see the truth. Find out more at his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Committee-to-elect-Shayne-Christen-Josephine-County-Commissioner-1044114828994373/?fref=nf.

Jenifer Valley: Jenifer is a longtime Oregon medical cannabis patient and advocate and also the co-founder of Stoney Girl Gardens, Sunny Girl Gardens soils company, and Portlandsterdam University. She will be running for Clackamas County Commissioner position 3 as a Democrat, a countywide position. Clackamas County sits just south of Portland, and is not particularly conservative, but they did pass onerous regulations against cannabis businesses in the past few years and could use a change on their commission. Find out more at www.JeniferValley.com, www.facebook.com/voteJV .

Kris McAlister: Kris is with of Willamette NORML and a marijuana activist for the past few years in the Eugene/Springfield area. An outspoken opponent to curtailment of the OMMP, Kris is running for city council in Springfield. He hopes to bring a fresh pro-cannabis perspective to their stodgy council. Find out more on Kris at https://www.facebook.com/RootedInSpringfield/.

Steve Ball: Steve is running for Klamath County Commissioner, a countywide position. He owns a hydroponics store in Klamath Falls and has long supported cannabis legalization and medical cannabis in Oregon. Klamath County has a ban on all dispensaries, so getting a new cannabis friendly commissioner there would be a huge victory. Visit his FB page at www.facebook.com/SteveBall4Commissioner/?fref=ts.