Oregon Legislature Votes to Create Cannabis Commission
Lawmakers have voted in favor of creating the Oregon Cannabis Commission to oversee the state’s medical marijuana program.
On Wednesday Oregon’s House voted 48 to 11 to approve House Bill 2198, which was followed by an 18 to 12 vote in the Senate the next day. The proposal will now be sent to Governor Kate Brown, who has the option of signing it into law, vetoing it or allowing it to become law without her signature.
The proposal would establish the Oregon Cannabis Commission within the Oregon Health Authority, along with other changes. If the measure does become law, the commission would consist of the Public Health Officer or designee, along with eight members appointed by the governor as follows:
(A) A registry identification cardholder, as defined in ORS 475B.410;
(B) A person designated to produce marijuana by a registry identification cardholder, as defined in ORS 475B.410;(C) An attending physician, as defined in ORS 475B.410;(D) A person representing the Oregon Health Authority;(E) A person representing the Oregon Liquor Control Commission;(F) A local health officer, as described in ORS 431.418;(G) A law enforcement officer; and(H) A person knowledgeable about research proposal grant protocols.
(a) A possible framework for the future governance of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, including:(A) Proper oversight and regulation of each of the following:(i) Registry identification cardholders and designated primary caregivers, as those terms are defined in ORS 475B.410;(ii) Attending physicians, as defined in ORS 475B.410;(iii) Marijuana grow sites, as defined in ORS 475B.410;(iv) Marijuana processing sites, as defined in ORS 475B.410; and(v) Medical marijuana dispensaries, as defined in ORS 475B.410;(B) Necessary amendments to the laws of the state pertaining to cannabis, including any necessary amendments to ORS 475B.010 to 475B.395 and 475B.400 to 475B.525; and(C) The future role of the commission with respect to the possible framework.(b) Steps that the state must take, whether administrative or legislative in nature, to ensure that research on cannabis and cannabis-derived products is being conducted for public purposes, including the advancement of:(A) Public health policy and public safety policy;(B) Agronomic and horticultural best practices; and(C) Medical and pharmacopoeia best practices.(2) In determining the possible framework for the future governance of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the commission shall consider:(a) Potential factors that could prevent access to cannabis for medical use;(b) Potential laws and rules that will facilitate access to cannabis for medical use; and(c) The impact of federal laws, regulations and policies on the possible framework.
(1) Provide advice to the Oregon Health Authority with respect to the administration ofORS 475B.400 to 475B.525;(2) Provide advice to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with respect to the administration of ORS 475B.010 to 475B.395, insofar as those statutes pertain to registry identification cardholders and designated primary caregivers, as those terms are defined in ORS 475B.410;(3) Develop a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that cannabis will remain a therapeutic option for persons with debilitating medical conditions as defined in ORS 475B.410;(4) Develop a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that cannabis will remain affordablefor persons with debilitating medical conditions as defined in ORS 475B.410; and(5) Monitor and study federal laws, regulations and policies regarding marijuana.
The measure makes some other changes in addition to establishing the commission, including making it so that “a marijuana grow site may transfer up to 20 pounds of usable marijuana per year to a person that holds a license issued under ORS 475B.090 or 475B.100”.
For the full text of House Bill 2198, click here.
