This just seems relevent
Press Release Mitch Greelicks March 31,2009
Nicotine has proven to be a tremendously addictive substance, and Greenlick argued that the Legislature
should take the same actions for nicotine that it did for pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in the
production of methamphetamine, in 2005. “Four years ago, the Legislature took pseudoephedrine off the shelves, and as a result the production of meth in Oregon dramatically declined,” he said. “We need a similar policy to effectively combat the addictive properties of nicotine, because it will take bold steps to curb tobacco use and the deaths it causes.”
Greenlick also referenced his long career as a health researcher to show the damaging effects of nicotine beyond dependence. “Nicotine is a harmful substance that raises blood pressure and constricts arteries, and it only takes a 40mg dose to kill a human,” he said.
Greenlick's hunt for 31st vote on health bill February 9,2010
"I'm at 30 Ds right now," said Greenlick, who acknowledged that some of his Democratic colleagues are worried about the practical effect of putting the right to health care in the state Constitution. Republicans, meanwhile, have locked up against the measure, saying they don't want to burden the taxpayers with paying for a massive new entitlement.
Mitch Greenlick's bill to ban kids in bike trailers is still buzzing January 2011
State Rep. Mitch Greenlick, whose district spans Northwest Portland and Washington County communities north of U.S. 26, continues to create a stir with his proposal to ban children younger than 6 from riding in bike trailers or on the back of adult bikes.
Here's the dirt: Senate votes down bill to make Jory soil the official soil of Oregon May 19,2011
Greenlick, who has a reputation for prickliness, was indeed not amused.
"I feel very badly about it," he said. "They made a joke out of something that is very serious to a lot of people in the state."
Greenlick said that, although being an urban legislator, he became interested in Jory soils because a friend of his is a descendant of the pioneer family for which the soil is named.
He said Jory soil was included in a Smithsonian Institution exhibit of unique state soils and should be treated as the iconic soil that it is. This is the third session in a row he's tried to officially recognize Jory soil - and the second in which he's got the bill through the House only to see it fail in the Senate.
So will there be consequences if his Jory soil bill fails on Monday?
Greenlick, who has several Senate bills still pending in his health committee, paused before answering.
"For every action," he finally added, "there is a reaction. It's the law of physics."
'Nanny' bills pile up at Oregon Legislature March 19,2011
The most prolific writer of such bills this year is probably Rep. Mitch Greenlick, a Portland Democrat and former health researcher. Among his bills are ones that would make it illegal to carry a child in a bike trailer, require a prescription to smoke cigarettes or cigars, and add a special tax on soda pop to discourage its consumption.
Greenlick makes no apologies. These things are unhealthy, he says, and should be stopped.
"Nanny bills are bills you don't like," he says, brushing off criticism that he's becoming the Mary Poppins of Oregon. "I think we're within our rights and our obligation to protect our citizens."
People react negatively because the bills make them uncomfortable, raising questions about their choices or their ability as parents. And so they should, Greenlick says.
Oregon Bill Would Essentially Ban Cigarettes January 24,2013
Rep. Mitch Greenlick, from Portland, is sponsoring a bill that makes cigarettes a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it would be illegal to possess or distribute cigarettes without a doctor's prescription.
