Social Cannabis Clubs May Soon Become a Reality in Oregon

Social drinkers can congregate at bars, those who enjoy cigars can relax with like-minded folk at cigar lounges, and pretty soon, cannasseurs in Oregon may have a new hang out spot to consume cannabis with friends, new and old.

A new senate bill has been introduced that would permit cannabis consumption at licensed businesses and events. Senate Bill 307 would entrust the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) with the responsibility of regulating the consumption and sale of cannabis at licensed events, as well as cannabis lounges.

However, SB-307 does outline that cities and states must approve of cannabis consumption at events and lounges. The bill “Prohibits licensing temporary events or cannabis lounges in cities or counties that have not adopted ordinances allowing for the consumption of marijuana items at temporary events or cannabis lounges.”

Recreational states such as Colorado and California are also looking to regulate and permit social cannabis consumption clubs. Although social consumption of cannabis in legal states is currently a hot topic, there are still those who oppose the idea and believe that it could be harmful to public health.

Benjamin Hoffman is a pediatrician who expressed to KTVZ concerns about Senate Bill 307 on behalf of the Oregon Pediatric Society. “It weakens the Clean Air Act,” Hoffman said. “Which is a really essential component in reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.”

Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act (ICAA) prohibits smoking in workplaces, and it also disallows people to smoke within 10 feet of businesses’ entrances, exits, windows, vents and accessibility ramps. In 2016, the ICAA was expanded to include vaporizing under the same umbrella as smoking, therefore prohibiting vaporizing as well.

The bill text explains that if passed, SB-307 will become operative on January 1, 2018, at which point interested businesses will be able to apply to become licensed.