The Klamath Strong volunteers were able to raise enough valid signatures to qualify their recreational cannabis initiative for the November ballot in the opt-out southern Oregon city. After months of signature gathering they collected 1,864, or 80 more than the 1,784 valid signatures required by Klamath Falls, to place a referendum on their local ballot. They had until July 16th to collect them once the measure was reviewed and approved for signature collection.

Edward Medina Jr. and Marianne Yong, the co-chief petitioners for the measure, indicated the successful gathering effort was due to the dedicated volunteers that helped get enough registered Klamath Falls voters to sign their petition. They attended numerous local events and offered petitions at select local businesses.

“All the praise goes to the Klamath Strong volunteers. None of this would be possible without them.” Medina said in a statement (see below), “It makes me proud to be a part of the change that Klamath so desperately needs.”

The measure will lift the ban which was imposed by Klamath Falls after the passage of Measure 91 in 2014. The Klamathstrong.com website explains, “Overturning the ban, and welcoming new industry, creates jobs, and generates funds for our schools, law enforcement, and drug and alcohol treatment programs. Continuing the current ban prevents the important tracking, testing, taxing, and regulating of the recreational marijuana in our city.”

Entire statement from Ed Medina Jr.

The dedication and tenacity of the volunteers and businesses that helped us in this true grass-roots movement is impressive. Facing a fast-approaching deadline and large opposition, this group of individuals never wavered in their commitment to daily signature gathering. All the praise goes to the Klamath Strong volunteers. None of this would be possible without them.

It makes me proud to be a part of the change that Klamath so desperately needs. Now that we have made the ballot, our goal is to educate the Klamath Falls residents before the election in November, on the benefits of the regulated legal system that most of the rest of the state is participating in.

We know we will face criticism and intolerance at every level. Klamath is historically behind in most things, and cannabis is no exception. We plan to utilize the knowledge gained from other areas to help build a system here that will benefit our entire area and be a model for smaller communities.

We still have a lot of work to do.

Edward Medina Jr. , Co-petitioner

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