May 17 Was State Election Day In Oregon – Retail Cannabis Association Wanted The Following Voted In

Here’s their info in an alert sent earlier today
NPR has the results as they roll in

Tina Kotek wins Oregon Democratic primary for governor

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/17/1099361225/oregon-governor-primary-election-results

Candidates Supportive of Cannabis Policies

Many of our more regularly engaged members will recognize many of the folks on their ballots this year – including several incumbents seeking re-election whom we have worked with in the past on many substantive reforms.

It’s so important for our industry to preserve that momentum and institutional knowledge by keeping these lawmakers – very few of whom are educated about the nuances of our economic sector – in their roles as elected officials.

Remember also that this is only the primary election – and so many of the big fights that will determine control of Oregon’s legislative process will not be determined until the general election in November of this year.

Here are some folks that ORCA has helped showcase to our membership over the course of this election cycle, and ways you can help out their campaigns.

ORCA Endorses:
Kaliko Castille
Candidate for State Representative, HD 41

This is one of the easiest – and most important – endorsements our organization has been able to make.  Kaliko is a long-time friend to the industry, and to many of us personally as well.  His activism around sensible cannabis policy precedes legalization, and his work at the state and national level have helped to get us where we are today in this incredible issue area.

In his work with the National Cannabis Industry Association, and in his position as Board President for the Minority Cannabis Business Association, Kaliko is intimately familiar with the challenges that our industry faces and would be an outstanding voice in the conversation around crafting sensible regulations.

You can learn more about Kaliko’s campaign – and how to help – online here.

***

ORCA Endorses:
Val Hoyle
Candidate for Congress (CD-4)

Currently serving as Commissioner of our Bureau of Labor and Industries, and in her past role as House Majority Leader, Val Hoyle has been a constant fighter for sensible reform that help promote healthy economic development and add jobs. Val has worked tirelessly to develop a relationship with our industry, and folks have had very positive experiences working with her.

Time and again we have heard her call for regulations that treat cannabis the same as any other business is treated, and we agree that she would be the right voice for our industry in her bid for Congress.

One of Val’s opponents in this race has also expressed some wildly out-of-touch anti-cannabis views in the past, and that should be concerning to all of us.  Oregon deserves someone who will champion industries like ours.

That’s why Val is the obvious choice for us for the 4th Congressional District.

You can learn more about Val’s big – and how to help – on her website here.

***


ORCA Meeting Follow-up:
Rep. Ken Helm
House District 34

For those of you who were fortunate enough to hear Rep. Ken Helm speak at our last ORCA meeting in April, you already know that this is a long-time champion of our industry – and one of the few remaining voices at the table in Salem who has been involved in shaping our state’s cannabis laws from the very beginning.  The institutional knowledge about the history of our industry’s regulations that Ken Helm brings to the legislature is immeasurably valuable.

This year – and for the first time in quite a few years – Rep. Helm has an actual race to run!  On top of that, Rep. Helm is also very actively involved in legislative leadership – and so his campaign has asked us to relay to our community that any contributions to his campaign would be very much appreciated, and would go a long way toward furthering our shared goals.

Rep. Helm has been a friend to the industry at times when it has mattered most, and so if any of you are able to step up with a contribution to his campaign, ORCA would also definitely appreciate it a great deal.

You can contribute to Rep. Ken Helm’s campaign online here!

Primary Sponsor

 


Karma Koala Podcast

Top Marijuana Blog