The Legalization of Recreational Cannabis in Oregon

In November of 2014,
Oregon voters legalized cannabis by passing the, “Marijuana and Industrial Hemp
Act,” otherwise known as Measure 91. This will be the first time that people in
our great green state can enjoy cannabis legally since the passing of the “Uniform
State Narcotic Drug Act” of 1935. Oregonians rejoiced together as our dreams of
smoking the green out in the open without fear of societal reprimand finally
came true. Hundreds of supporters came out on July 1, 2015 at midnight to
gather on the Burnside Bridge together in solidarity. Was this gathering legal?
No. Even though Oregonians are now able to smoke cannabis, they have to do it
in the privacy of their homes, not in public. It won’t be until 2016 that the (Oregon
Liquor and Control Commission (OLCC) starts licensing recreational
establishments that we will start to see cannabis stores sprouting up across
the western side of our state. For now though, only medical cannabis patients
can purchase cannabis at the store, thanks to the passing of Measure 67 in 1998.

An Oregon Senator
named Ted Ferrioli created a loophole for those without Oregon Medical
Marijuana Program (OMMP) cards that want to start smoking legally right away. Starting
in October of 2015, any adult will be able to purchase a quarter ounce of cannabis
at local dispensaries. However, don’t go firing up your oil rig; because concentrates
and edibles will still be hard to come by—this loophole is for bud only. State
lawmakers and the OLCC will be deciding the rules for purity and testing for
edible products and concentrates. Most likely, testing labs will be responsible
for answering to government agencies to ensure their testing is accurately done
to inform consumers. They don’t want to push people into making their own
concentrates at home either, so these decisions need to be made soon. Many Oregonians
want to try their hand at growing a green thumb, and more resources are
becoming available for those wanting to start outdoor or hydroponic gardens at
home.

Even though cannabis
has been legal in Oregon since July, it may still be difficult to get a hold
of. However, the OLCC is allowing venues to charge admission to events where
legal cannabis is given away for free. Smokers have been able to get a free
dime bag or eighth with the admission to certain events around Portland. Franco’s
Fun Bus is a dab tour that weaves around Portland, and dabs come free with your
admission. With the passing of 91, cannabis stores will be banned in areas
where 55 percent or more of the population rejected the legalization of cannabis
in the first place. East of the cascades will be a cannabis dry zone if you are
looking to buy legal cannabis.

Medical cannabis dispensaries
in Oregon have been making some major business decisions with the passing of
Measure 91. They can choose to remain as dispensaries, serving only those holding
OMMP cards. Or they can start selling recreationally and add on a 17 percent
sales tax to every bud purchased. Dispensaries will be turning recreational and
new stores will bring a major blow to recreational shops in Vancouver,
Washington, who sold a big portion of their inventory to Portlanders. Legal bud
will be cheaper in Oregon due to lower state taxes. With cannabis costing
Portlanders half the price, Washington lawmakers are looking to cut their taxes
on cannabis, so Oregon may join in a price war with Washington and the already
existing black market.

Oregonians have
always smoked cannabis. The stigmas that once surrounded cannabis use are
slowly fading into the past, and it feels good to be open and honest about
something we love. More and more resources are becoming available for people
who support the legal cannabis movement, and more people are accepting cannabis
as a part of our society that’s here to stay. Community support is consistently
growing for an industry that was already booming in Oregon to begin with. We
have always grown the best cannabis here, and it’s finally time to stop hiding
it and allow ourselves to be proud of one of Oregon’s most promising
industries.