Oregon is considered a pioneer state for cannabis legislation. Oregon is one of the first states to pass a medical cannabis law (1998), and legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2014. Oregon looks to be following other successful states like Colorado and Washington in building a successful legal cannabis industry.
CBD from Hemp Oil in Oregon
Hemp CBD oil is federally legal in the U.S. Individual state laws, however, are dynamic and some states have and will enact their own laws regulating hemp-derived CBD.
Medical Cannabis in Oregon
Oregon was one of the first four states to legalize medical cannabis in 1998. Four amendments have since been made to the bill, which clarify procedures for legal purchase and use, as well as what conditions are approved for medical cannabis use. Currently, registered patients are legally allowed to possess up to 24 ounces of usable cannabis, 6 mature plants, and/or 18 immature plants.
The conditions that are approved for medical cannabis use in Oregon include:
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Muscle Spasms, including those caused by Multiple Sclerosis
- Seizures
- Severe Pain
- Severe Nausea
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The Oregon Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program governs the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries. As of this writing, there are 67,465 qualified patients registered with the program and 189 medical cannabis dispensaries open and operating throughout the state.
You can find the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) website, here.
Recreational Cannabis in Oregon
Oregon voters approved Measure 91 on November 4, 2014 to legalize recreational cannabis.
The law, which took effect on July 1 of 2015, makes it legal to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis in public, or up to 8 ounces of homegrown cannabis at home. Individuals may also possess up to 4 plants, 16 ounces of solid infused concentrates, or 72 ounces of liquid infused concentrates. Cannabis can be legally consumed in private under the law.
Retail sales began October 2015, and the state initially allowed medical cannabis dispensaries to sell recreational cannabis to adult users. However, beginning January 1, 2017 adult use cannabis could only be sold by retail businesses that have obtained a license.
Cultivation of Cannabis in Oregon
Qualified medical Cannabis patients can legally cultivate up to 6 mature plants and 18 mature plants. Adults aged 21 and older are legally allowed to grow up to 4 plants for personal use.
Oregon has also established hemp cultivation laws. The Oregon legislature initially legalized industrial hemp production in 2009. However, in March 2016, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill that relaxed state hemp licensing requirements, opening up the hemp market to small and individual farmers. Those interested in growing and handling industrial hemp must register with the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Resources:
- http://www.oregon.gov/olcc/Cannabis/Pages/Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx
- http://www.oregon.gov/oha/mmj/Pages/directory.aspx
- http://norml.org/laws/item/oregon-penalties-2
- https://www.mpp.org/states/oregon/
- http://medicalCannabis.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881 – Oregon http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/Cannabis/oregon-medical-Cannabis-dispensaries-gear-up-for-rec-sales/
