Initiative 91 Passes: Oregon Welcomes Recreational Marijuana
Oregon Ballot Measure 91 is a 2014 ballot measure that passed in Oregon in November 2014. Its passage legalized the recreational use of marijuana in Oregon.
Key dates include:
- July 1, 2015. The possession and use of marijuana for adults 21 years of age or older, including the ability to carry up to one ounce of marijuana, to keep up to eight ounces of marijuana at home per household, and to cultivate up to four marijuana plants per household.
- January 4, 2016. The OLCC must begin accepting applications on or before January 4, 2016.
You can find a copy of the initiative here.
The Oregon Legislature is busy reviewing the measure and has already identified a number of areas of concern, including:
- Can Oregon do away with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program now?
- Is the eight ounce limit per household for marijuana possession to high?
- How should edibles be regulated?
- Does the absence of guidance on driving while high require action?
- Should the legislature step to make changes and provide express guidance to the OLCC or let the OLCC conduct rule making on some of these key issues?
With my extensive experience working with the OLCC and the striking similarity between the existing alcohol regulatory framework and the regulatory framework set out by Initiative 91, I am uniquely positioned to counsel clients seeking to start a marijuana based business in Oregon. I will be closely following the development of this area law and making connections from my deep experience in the alcohol regulatory arena.
My Oregon Marijuana Law blog is currently under construction and should be up and running in early December. The site will be athttp://olccmarijuanalaw.com/. Stay tuned!