Medical and recreational cannabis use is legal in Oregon. Medical marijuana was approved by Oregon voters in 1998, and recreational cannabis was similarly endorsed by voters in 2014. Recreational cannabis is available for adults 21 or older, while enrollment in the state’s medical registry is an option for qualified patients over 18 or under 18 with a qualified caregiver.

Marijuana Laws in Oregon

Oregon’s cannabis laws are some of the most permissive in the country, with higher possession limits than many other states with recreational and medical cannabis. But even though cannabis has a place in Oregon’s artistic and cultural history, there are still laws and rules you must follow. Marijuana use in public, for example, is illegal, regardless of whether or not you are a medical patient. And if you exceed the state’s possession limits, you could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $125,000.

Medical Cannabis Laws

After legalizing medical cannabis in 1998, Oregon eventually implemented a medical cannabis registry program and began medicinal cannabis sales. Patients with one or more qualifying medical conditions are eligible for certification to join the state’s medical marijuana registry. Medical patients can possess up to 24 ounces of usable cannabis at one time and up to six mature plants.

Recreational Marijuana Laws

Following the 2014 legalization of adult-use cannabis, Oregon law allows adults age 21 or older to possess up to 8 ounces of usable cannabis at their homes and up to four mature plants. In public, recreational cannabis users can have up to 1 ounce of cannabis in their possession, although you can not smoke any amount of cannabis in public.

While CBD is legal in Oregon, synthetic cannabis products and some hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 are not. In 2022, the state implemented tight regulations on previously legalized hemp products. Under the new rules, hemp products cannot contain any synthetic cannabis, including but not limited to delta-8, THC-O, and HHC.

What to Know About Medical Cannabis in Oregon

Oregon’s medical and recreational cannabis programs have undergone expansions and additional regulations in recent years, so staying current on the guidelines is important.

Only Certain Conditions Are Allowed

State law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Cancer
• Degenerative or pervasive neurological condition
• Glaucoma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• A medical condition or treatment for a medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia (a weight-loss disease that can be caused by HIV or cancer)
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including but not limited to seizures caused by epilepsy
  • Persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to spasms caused by multiple sclerosis

Telemedicine Is Allowed

Oregon allows prospective medical cannabis patients to receive certification through telehealth platforms like Leafwell.

Oregon Does Not Recognize Out-of-State Med Cards

Unfortunately, Oregon does not have medical cannabis reciprocity, meaning the state does not recognize medical cards from other states as valid. Thankfully, the state’s adult-use program means most (but not all) people from other states with med cards will be able to purchase cannabis in Oregon anyway.

Many other states do have cannabis reciprocity. The following states recognize out-of-state med cards:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

States that have recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:

• Alaska
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota (currently only tribal dispensaries)
• Missouri
• Montana
• New York
• Vermont
• Washington

Can You Grow Cannabis in Oregon?

Yes, growing marijuana plants is legal in Oregon. Both medical patients and recreational cannabis users can cultivate their own cannabis plants. Medical patients are currently limited to possessing up to six mature plants, while recreational users can have a maximum of four mature plants.

The Bottom Line

Cannabis is legal for both recreational and medicinal purposes in Oregon. The state’s laws are more permissive than many other states with higher-than-usual marijuana possession limits, but there are still numerous guidelines responsible for maintaining Oregon’s well-regulated medical and recreational cannabis industries. For example, synthetic cannabinoids are not allowed, nor is smoking cannabis in public places.

If you have one or more qualifying conditions and are a resident of Oregon, you should speak to a doctor today about getting your medical marijuana card and beginning your healing journey with cannabis.