Oregon has been on the forefront of cannabis reform in the U.S. It was the first U.S. state to decriminalize marijuana, and is one of the first to implement a statewide regulated and taxed medical marijuana program.
Today Oregon has a thriving recreational/adult use marijuana market. However, due to the large number of growers in the state the industry is experiencing a surplus of cannabis.
In this document we offer a comprehensive collection of links to instructional and educational documents, license application forms, FAQs, and much more.
This document was updated on May 14, 2019.
In 2014, after previous failed attempts, Measure 91 was approved, legalizing recreational marijuana. Then in 2015, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed an emergency bill permitting the sale of recreational marijuana from declaring marijuana sales legal at state-licensed dispensaries beginning October 1, 2015. On January 1, 2017, dispensaries were required to apply for an OLCC license for recreational sales.
Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Act was passed by voters via Measure 67 in 1998. The bill provides access to marijuana to patients with illnesses on a list of qualifying medical conditions. Under the provisions of the act, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program was created.
In June 2010 marijuana was reclassified from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.
That same year, a ballot measure intended to established a state licensing system for marijuana producers and dispensaries was defeated. Regardless, the state legislature legalized medical dispensaries in 2013. That same year, an initiative known as the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, aka Measure 80, which would have legalized marijuana for adult use but was defeated.
Then, in 2014, Measure 91 was approved by voters legalizing recreational marijuana beginning July 1, 2015. In 2015, an emergency bill permitting medical dispensaries to sell to recreational users was signed by Governor Kate Brown. Then in 2016, another bill signed into law by Governor Brown in March 2016 allowed the sale of medical and recreational marijuana from the same outlets.
As of January 1, 2017, only shops licensed for recreational sales were permitted to do so. However, all licensed shops are also allowed to sell medical marijuana to card-holding patients.
Further changes are expected. Please refer to the state's website for updates.
Oregon marijuana retailers are limited in the amount of marijuana they are allowed to sell to one customer in a day:
All persons working in Oregon recreational marijuana industry, including licensees, must have a valid Marijuana Worker Permit. This includes all employees of licensed producers, processors, wholesalers, and retail shops. Workers must be at least 21 years old to be eligible for a permit.
The market trend data should be considered a "snapshot in time." This data from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission is produced from Metrc, Oregon's Cannabis Tracking System, based on information entered by licensees. Currently, this data is posted monthly. In the near future, the OLCC plans to provide data that approaches "real-time," including wholesale and retail prices.
The Business Readiness Guidebook for Oregon Recreational Marijuana Operations is intended to provide applicants and licensees with knowledge and tools for establishing and operating OLCC-licensed recreational marijuana businesses.
Here is a list of cities or counties that have prohibited the establishment of licensed recreational marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers, and/or retailers.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) evaluates and approves medical and recreational marijuana and hemp packages and labels to ensure all packages and labels meet all of the rule requirements.
The guide is designed to help explain the packaging and labeling rules. Please note, this guide should not replace a thorough reading of the rules.
Energy Trust of Oregon offers licensed growers free technical services and cash incentives for the installation of energy-efficient equipment at new and existing grow facilities.
PGE: Get the Most from Your Grow Operation
Below are links to all Frequently Asked Questions documents provided by Oregon regulators.
All OLCC recreational marijuana licensees and their employees are required to use the Oregon Cannabis Tracking System (CTS).
CTS information on the OLCC website is separated into separate sections for OLCC Recreational Marijuana licensees, and OHA OMMP registrants.
For more information on the various functions, requirements, and resources for the OLCC's cannabis tracking system visit the Oregon Metrc Wiki.