The 2017 Oregon legislative session begins two weeks from tomorrow, on Wednesday, February 1. Already, there are manyproposed bills, measures and resolutions posted on the legislatures website,ranging from marquee bills to tackle the state budget shortfall and its gun registry loopholes, to resolutions naming an official state horse (the Kiger Mustang) and a dog (the Border Collie). For our faithful readers, there is also a generous helping of cannabis bills. We count 28 of them.
Back in October, we wrote that issues surrounding public consumption, like cannabis cafs and special event (temporary) licenses, would be up for discussion. As shown below, that has proven to be true. We have also written time and again (and again and again) about the need to merge Oregonsmedical and recreational marijuana programs. That appears to be up for serious consideration as well. Finally, we have written about the states burgeoning industrial hemp program, which is also addressed.
Below is a compilation of the 28 introduced cannabis bills, sourced from the Oregon legislatures website. Each bill is linked to its summary page, and you can click through to the text of any proposal of interest. When reading a bill, its important to understand that any text in bold letters would be new, while language in [italics and brackets] would be removed from existing law. Its also important to note that each proposed bill has a specific enactment date: some are emergency laws, effective on passage, while others would take effect at a future date. Finally, some of these bills would sunset after a certain period; others are proffered as evergreen.
As in the 2016 short session, many of the bills listed below will fall by the wayside as the senate and house convene and begin to knock heads. Others will be revised, consolidated or otherwise modified, butit is altogether certain that we will see some changesin Oregon cannabis law this session. Altogether, the indexbelow seems to supportthe sentiment that Oregon iscommitted to getting it right with cannabis.
Draft Senate Bills
SB 56. Authorizes Oregon Liquor Control Commission to require cannabis-related licensees, certificate holders and applicants for licenses and certificates to submit information related to persons who hold financial interest in business operating or to be operated under license or certificate.
SB 108. Modifies certain definitions for purposes of regulating cannabis.Imposes tax on retail sale of marijuana seeds. Conforms terms throughout statutes governing regulation of cannabis.
SB 130. Waives fees for obtaining a medical marijuana card for veterans who have total disability rating of at least 50 percent as result of injury or illness incurred or aggravated during active military service, and who received discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions.
SB 300. Establishes Oregon Cannabis Commission to fulfill duties, functions and powers relating to medical use of marijuana. Directs Oregon Health Authority to transfer duties, functions and powers relating to Oregon Medical Marijuana Act to commission. Makes commission operative January 1, 2018.
SB 302. Removes provisions related to marijuana offenses from Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Moves crimes, penalties, defenses to crimes and procedural provisions in Uniform Controlled Substances Act that apply to marijuana offenses to Control and Regulation of Marijuana Act. Adjusts penalties for certain crimes. Makes corresponding changes to statutes referencing controlled substances to clarify applicability to cannabis and cannabis-derived products.
SB 303. Amends, clarifies and creates consistency in statutes setting forth prohibitions and procedures related to minors possessing, purchasing, attempting to purchase or acquiring alcoholic beverages or marijuana items.
SB 304. For purposes of laws regulating cannabis-related businesses, standardizes language with respect to issuing, renewing, suspending, revoking or refusing to issue or renew licenses.
SB 305. Clarifies law requiring notice to Oregon Liquor Control Commission when person licensed by commission to engage in cannabis business is convicted of violation of state law or local ordinance of which possession, delivery or manufacture of marijuana item is element.
SB 306. Repeals provisions regulating marijuana grow sites, marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries on June 30, 2018. Updates and creates provisions providing for licensing of marijuana grow sites, marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries by Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
SB 307. Provides for regulation by Oregon Liquor Control Commission of consumption and sale of marijuana items at temporary events, including licensure of premises on which temporary events are held. Provides for regulation by commission of consumption of marijuana items at cannabis lounges, including licensure of premises where cannabis lounges are located. 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. Excepts from prohibitions on public use, including restrictions set forth in Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act, consumption of marijuana items in designated areas of premises for which temporary event or cannabis lounge license has been issued. Applies current law regulating licensed marijuana producers, processors, wholesalers and retailers to new types of licensees. Makes certain exceptions.
SB 308. Establishes Task Force on Social Consumption of Cannabis.
SB 319. Authorizes local governments to allow medical marijuana dispensaries and marijuana retailers licensed by Oregon Liquor Control Commission to be located within certain distance [500 feet] of schools.
SB 342. Clarifies total number of mature marijuana plants and immature marijuana plants and total amount of usable marijuana, medical cannabinoid products, cannabinoid concentrates and cannabinoid extracts that patients and caregivers registered under Oregon Medical Marijuana Act may possess.
SB 570. Creates crime of intentionally administering marijuana item to body of person who is under 18 years of age. Punishes by maximum of 20 years imprisonment, $375,000 fine, or both. Creates crime of knowingly administering marijuana item to body of person who is under 18 years of age. Punishes by maximum of 1 years imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both.
Draft House Bills
HB 2151. Allows property tax exemption for food processing machinery and equipment newly acquired by persons engaged in business of producing cannabinoid edibles, alcoholic beverages and alcoholic liquors.
HB 2197. Directs Oregon Liquor Control Commission to enter into agreement with nongovernmental entity that conducts or funds research on cannabis and cannabis-derived products. Specifies terms of agreement. Requires public dissemination of data, information, analysis and findings procured pursuant to research.
HB 2198. Changes name of Oregon Liquor Control Commission to Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Changes composition of Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission by adding commissioners from cannabis retail industry. Specifies that Oregon Health Authority may not register marijuana grow sites, marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries. Creates within authority, for purposes of administering Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, Medical Use of Cannabis Board. Becomes operative June 30, 2018. Repeals provisions regulating marijuana grow sites, marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries on June 30, 2018. Updates and creates provisions providing for licensing of marijuana grow sites, marijuana processing sites and medical marijuana dispensaries by Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Makes other technical ...
