The week of March 20th saw continued discussions over tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana.
On March 21st, the House Revenue Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 3178, which would impose a tax on the wholesale price of e-cigarettes and vape pens. AOC joined proponents from Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Multnomah County, Oregon Nurses Association, and the American Cancer Society among others to speak in favor of bill. These products are currently not taxed at all, and we continue to see a rise in youth use. AOC has established principles of setting a tax for these “nicotine inhalant delivery systems” much as we do for tobacco products, with the request that funds be used to support public health work. This hearing followed a March 9th meeting where various cigarette tax proposals were discussed en bloc, with AOC sharing similar perspectives on the impact of taxation upon youth use and the request to direct funds toward our public health work.
Later on March 21st, Senator Ted Ferrioli convened a workgroup to discuss social consumption of cannabis. At the table were Representative Ann Lininger and Senator Ginny Burdick’s staff, as well as AOC, LOC, Lane County, Multnomah County, the City of Portland, Oregon Nurses Association, the Oregon Medical Association, and a handful of individuals representing the marijuana industry. There are a variety of arguments in favor of having social consumption spaces, from renters not being able to smoke in their homes (most notably for medical marijuana patients and those in subsidized housing) to an impact on tourism because while marijuana is allowed, there are few options for visitors to consume. Concerns over social consumption range from adherence to the Indoor Clean Air Act to anticipated public safety issues from potential DUIIs. The group discussed various issues and options, such as differences between consumption via inhaling vs ingesting, the nuances and challenges of potential temporary events/festivals, server education and prevention of DUIIs, issues of youth seeing facilities and events advertised, regulations regarding cigarette smoking on patios of public establishments, and whether hotels could extend smoking room designations to marijuana. With no conclusions reached, the various parties agreed to reconvene after checking in with their various partners and stakeholders.
On Thursday, March 23rd, Senate Bill 754, “Tobacco 21,” passed out of the Senate by a vote of 19-8 (3 excused).
The week also saw the continuation of presentations by the Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) division of DHS, specifically with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). While the division generally received positive feedback from the committee, there are potential reductions put forward by the agency that could have an impact on county programs, including reductions in staffing and wage stagnation that would hit our already limited workforce. Public testimony on the APD budget will take place on Tuesday, March 28th.
Contributed by: Stacy Michaelson, AOC Health and Human Services policy manager