Date: 09/29/2015 04:00 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/261
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Starting Thursday, Oregon’s medical marijuana dispensaries will be able to sell pot to recreational users. A law passed last year legalized possessing and growing limited amounts of marijuana for personal use starting July 1. But the state won’t be ready to begin regulated sales until next year. As a temporary stop-gap, medical dispensaries are allowed to conduct early sales of recreational marijuana tax-free.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Democrats in the Oregon Senate have elected a new majority leader. Lawmakers chose Sen. Ginny Burdick of Portland for the Senate’s No. 2 post on Monday. Burdick replaces Sen. Diane Rosenbaum of Portland, who had held the position since 2011. Rosenbaum will take on the position of president pro tem, a largely ceremonial role that presides over Senate sessions when the President, Peter Courtney, is unable.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A former Willamette University football player is pleading guilty to manslaughter and a drug charge in connection with the killing of a 66-year-old man in Salem last year. Twenty-two-year-old Beau Wesley Smith changed his plea and was sentenced to just over six years in prison. A lawyer for Smith has said in court papers that the student acted in self-defense.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon and Taiwan have signed an agreement to honor each other’s driving tests. Oregon’s Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division will begin accepting simplified applications from Taiwanese drivers on Friday. Aside from the road test, all other fees and eligibility requirements are the same in both countries.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.