Safe Places
Oregon’s Senate Bill 307 would allow the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to permit licenses for establishments where people could not only purchase cannabis, but consume it as well. This would permit cannabis “lounges,” where adults could hang out and consume cannabis. Not only would this be a benefit to residents of the state, but it would also increase tourism in Oregon.
Establishments licensed under SB-307 would be similar to bars that serve alcohol, except they would cater to cannabis consumers. This would likely be a huge improvement for cities like Portland, where many people already consume cannabis illegally in the street or in their cars. Former player for the Portland Trail Blazers, Cliff Robinson, has joined the city in lobbying for the bill, which will be put before the Senate to vote before the end of this year.
“Establishments licensed under SB-307 would be similar to bars that serve alcohol, except they would cater to cannabis consumers. This would likely be a huge improvement for cities like Portland, where many people already smoke illegally in the street or in their cars.”
Also supporting the bill are Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Chloe Eudaly. Originally the bill included permits for special cannabis events, but lawmakers rewrote the bill to specify that cannabis consumption would only be legal at designated permanent locations. The bill currently does not yet specify if people can bring their own cannabis to licensed establishments, or if cannabis for consumption must be purchased on the premises, however, after revisions, the onsite sale of edibles will not be permitted. The way SB-307 is currently revised, it would be up to the establishment to determine whether or not smoking was limited to cannabis purchased onsite.
Under current regulations, tourists and Portlanders alike can purchase cannabis as long as they are at least 21 years old. They cannot, however, consume the cannabis they purchase unless they have a private, cannabis-friendly residence to do so. That means that if someone is visiting and staying in a hotel room, they have no option but to break the law in order to consume cannabis. Even many rental houses in Portland don’t allow renters to consume cannabis on rental premises. This leaves many people stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to figure out where to safely consume cannabis.
SB-307 would allow Portland residents and tourists the opportunity to consume cannabis safely and socially, and to legally consume the cannabis they buy here. If it passes, tourism would improve, and the cannabis industry could thrive even more, providing even more revenue for the state.
Oregon is known for its breweries, wineries and distilleries, where artisans and craftspeople allow the public to view and taste the spoils of their craft. Cannabis could have a similar draw for people to spend money in Portland, with people traveling in from around the state and country to sample and purchase cannabis—and it could set a precedent in doing so.
Alaska currently has a similar social consumption bill in the works, but details about how the system will work are still being outlined. Denver recently voted in a pilot program for cannabis venues, and establishments will be allowed to apply for permits by July of 2017. California included social cannabis consumption in its November 2016 Prop. 64 that legalized recreational cannabis. Once an individual states work out the regulation and operating rules for such establishments, it’s only a matter of time until Portlanders will be able to buy and smoke cannabis, just like adults can regularly order drinks at a bar.
