"If marijuana is legal to use, it shouldn’t be illegal to buy."

Oregon adults will be able to legally purchase recreational marijuana beginning Oct. 1, about a year earlier than had been expected.  

Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed a law on Tuesday allowing the sale of recreational marijuana in existing medical marijuana dispensaries, starting just three months after Oregon's reformed marijuana law went into effect.

The measure "is a smart solution to a short-term logistical problem," Kristen Grainger, Brown's spokeswoman, told The Huffington Post. "Oregon’s new recreational marijuana law went into effect in July 2015, but Oregonians couldn’t lawfully buy it anywhere for another year or more. If marijuana is legal to use, it shouldn’t be illegal to buy."

When you think of popular retirement destinations, Florida and Arizona likely come to mind.

But according to Reuters, some U.S. retirees are considering more than warm weather, good health care and close proximity to grandkids when deciding where to retire. Many American seniors are choosing to enjoy their golden years in a marijuana-friendly state.

Chris Cooper is a 57-year-old retired investment adviser from Ohio. He opted to retire in San Diego because California has legalized medical marijuana use. Cooper, who doesn’t like heavy-duty prescription painkillers like Vicodin, told Reuters that marijuana eases his back pain and spasms.

Four states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use, but only Colorado and Washington have licensed dispensaries that can legally sell recreational cannabis. Since legalization and sale came to those communities, the budding pot industry in these two states has tried to shape a future of vineyard-esque tours of marijuana farms, and fatty-friendly salons reminiscent of Amsterdam’s cafes. (The phrase “Napa Valley of weed” gets tossed around a fair bit.)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon television anchor has turned into a marijuana activist after being fired for testing positive for the drug.

Cyd Maurer, a morning weekend anchor at Eugene's ABC affiliate KEZI-TV, said she was fired in May after getting into a minor accident while on assignment. In a video posted online, Maurer said that after the accident she was forced to take a drug test per company policy and failed it.

Maurer, 25, said she was completely sober at work and had used the marijuana several days before. Studies show marijuana, unlike alcohol, can be detected in some people for days after use — or even weeks, in case of frequent users.

Somebody once said that advertising is not necessary, unless you want to make money.

Like Washington and Colorado, Oregon will restrict advertising options for marijuana businesses. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is currently writing advertising rules for Oregon’s recreational marijuana program. The new rules may be similar to the OLCC’s advertising regulations for liquor; or, they may be more like tobacco regulations, another smokable product. Draft rules should issue in late September.

The top moving destination in 2014 was Oregon, which voted to legalize marijuana last November.

When choosing retirement locales, a few factors pop to mind: climate, amenities, proximity to grandchildren, access to quality healthcare.

Chris Cooper had something else to consider – marijuana laws.

The investment adviser from Toledo had long struggled with back pain due to a fractured vertebra and crushed disc from a fall. He hated powerful prescription drugs like Vicodin, but one thing did help ease the pain and spasms: marijuana.

Oregon House Representative Earl Blumenauer plans to introduce a bill to Congress today that would clear and expunge particular federal marijuana offenses that are no longer illegal in a number of states across the country — but some marijuana activists are skeptical of how many people it would actually help.

The Clean Slate for Marijuana Offenses Act of 2015 would clear criminals records of those who were federally charged with marijuana activity that was state-legal at the time and those who were federally charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Bluemenauer, a supporter of cannabis legalization at the federal level, attacked what he calls "failed prohibition" in a prepared statement.

The Portland City Council voted 5-4 on Monday against granting a permit to a group that wanted to hold a marijuana farmers market in Deering Oaks next month.

Councilors previously granted the Belfast-based New World Organics permission to hold the New England Cannabis Farmers Market, but revisited the issue after hearing advertising for the event which they said suggested marijuana would be available for use there.

Councilor Nicholas Mavodones was concerned that the event had changed from what was originally promised when it was initially approved.

“I can’t in good conscience vote for this,” said Mavodones, who was joined Monday by Councilors Jill Duson, Jon Hinck, David Brenerman and Edward Suslovic.

EUGENE, Ore. – Many people from Eugene’s homeless community went to work as volunteers over the weekend at the 11th annual Emerald Valley Hemp Fest.

The volunteers helped run the festival and were given meals for their help.

Local activist groups put on the event to feature dozens of vendors from all over the West Coast.

Organizers said the goal was to educate people on the different uses of the product.

Since recreational pot was legal this year, they said they were worried about people smoking it at the festival. Smoking in public places is illegal.