About Us

An Oregon Nonprofit Advocacy and Educational Organization

Compassionate Oregon is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization.

Mission Statement:

Compassionate Oregon is a nonprofit organization created to increase public awareness of the legislative issues surrounding the use of medical cannabis; to work for affordable access for patients to medical cannabis; to remove restrictive regulations and fees concerning such access; to ensure the long-term availability of medical marijuana through statute first established by initiative by a majority vote of the people;  to educate patients and health care providers regarding the use and benefits of medical marijuana.

Here is a small list of our achievements:

  • Passed Senate Bill 281 adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions.
  • Reduced Veteran card fees to $20
  • Created the ability for a patient in long-term care to designate a facility and staff member as a secondary caregiver
  • Drafted Legislation establishing Oregon Cannabis Commission

About the Board

Sarah A Bennett – President

Sarah Bennett brings decades of personal and professional experience to Compassionate Oregon in support of patients who choose cannabis therapeutics in their lives. She began her OMMP participation as one of Oregon’s first medical marijuana dispensaries before the State of Oregon even recognized them. Her efforts on the front lines helped shape safe access to medical cannabis having served thousands of patients obtain their tested medicine in a safe and responsibly professional environment. Little did she know how critical this work would become. Her first touch was learning her first child is autistic. Having worked so closely in the medical marijuana field she knew her minor child would receive benefit from medical cannabis. Their Kaiser Permanente Pediatrician approved and signed the Attending Physcians’ Statement for her son who was 8 years old at the time. Her son showed incredible improvements as he learned more about living with his autism. Sarah was later diagnosed with breast cancer where she became the patient ather than the caregiver. Now is great health she continues to advocate for patients rights. Sarah’s work on the Advisory Committee to Medical Marijuana (ACMM) to the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) always lends to her drive for ethical and logical policy.  She worked collaboratively with industry leaders successfullly passing Housebill 3460 which finally legalized medical mariuana dispensaries in Oregon. Sarah has a 100% approved Cannabis license track record in Oregon or both medical and recreational, from dispensing retail to cultivation to distribution where her specialties span from non-profit membership organizations to corporate-level executive positions. Her work always incorporates government relations + legislation development, more than often being the first to take the leap into the unknown and carrying the responsibility of setting standards. Sarah Bennett is a steady with a personality that is infectous, effective, positive, and enjoyable to be around. She thoroughly enjoys any challenge, obstacle, or barrier which fuels her addiction to research in identifying all the ways to soar beyond any such barrier.

Anthony Taylor – Secretary, Legislative Director

Anthony Taylor is a long time activist in the marijuana reform movement. He was responsible for changes to the initiative process and has been a persistent voice in Salem for marijuana reform. His recent efforts led to the addition of PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for the use of medical marijuana as well as sentencing reform including the creation of misdemeanor possession of marijuana and hashish, a long overdue change in Oregon statute. Anthony also serves as the Vice-Chair on the Oregon Cannabis Commission and one of its founding members.

Sarah Duff – Board Member

Sarah Duff has been a cannabis activist for 17 years working successfully to pass initiatives in Missouri and Oregon. Today she serves on the Board of Directors for Oregon NORML, Oregon NORML Women’s Alliance, is the Media and Outreach Director for the International Cannabis Business Conference and Consultant with Duff Johnson Consulting. Her clients include patients she has connected to growers since 2009, helping set up and operate clinics such as Northwest Alternative Health and OLCC cannabis licensees who would like assistance with setting up and organizing their business and complying with laws and rules.

Tristan Reisfar – Board Member

Tristan has been blazing trails for eons in Oregon. At the forefront of medical cannabis, his compassion and dedication to the safe access for patients who choose cannabis therapeutically, you can find him live on the air spreading voices across the state. His work continues to impact lives of Oregonians every day. He has offered his service on advisory committees to help shape policy for all Oregonians. Compassionate Oregon is proud to have him on the team.

Brenda Thomas – Board Member

Brenda brings a wealth of her front line experience as a Nurse advocating for patients rights to use medical cannabis. She has weathered the front lines of the movement, navigating some of the hardest storms and continues to share her knowledge of care for patients. Her brilliance is captured in effective policy recommendations that have become adopted into our Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. 

Advisory Board

John Sajo

Mr. Sajo is a life-long activist and is responsible for several cannabis initiatives including Oregon’s first cannabis ballot measure in 1986 and the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act Initiative in 1998 which gave us the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. John currently still grows for OMMP patients and continues contributing no-cost cannabis medicines for up to 16 patients. He continues to be active in an advisory capacity and we value his experience immensely.

Michael Krawitz

Mr. Krawitz is the Executive Director for Veterans for Medical Marijuana Access. His work at the Veteran’s Administration has been key to VA Healthcare providers being able to discuss cannabis with veterans and their use of cannabis not to be grounds to revoke a veteran’s access to healthcare. Michael is currently  working with the United Nations and the World Health Organization on changing cannabis policy on the world stage.

Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith is a past board member who was instrumental in creating the non-profit structure for Compassionate Oregon. Cheryl was the Executive Director of Eugene Oregon’s Compassion Center, a non-profit cannabis patient clinic. She also served as the Chair of the Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana and continues to serve as our editor-in-chief. Cheryl was instrumental in Oregon”s Death With Dignity  movement and was key in its drafting and passage. We also enjoy her perspective.

Todd F Dalotto

Todd served many years on the Advisory Committee for Medical Marijuana which advised the Oregon Health Authority Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. His scientific nature lends to his quick cultivation, genetics identifications and how policy affects theory verus actual practice in the fields.