Fully Legal Medical Cannabis Laws in Oregon
- Oregon Ballot Measure 67, 1998
– The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act provides legal protections for qualified patients, requires a physician-written statement of the patient’s qualifying debilitating medical condition, allows for a caregiver to provide assistance, and mandates an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) registration system.
– In 2012, the medical marijuana laws were amended to approve medical marijuana dispensaries, including a registry system.
– Both medical and recreational marijuana production, processing, and sales are legal under Oregon law, but are subject to a number of laws governing, among other things, regulation and taxation. The primary responsibility for administering and enforcing medical marijuana laws falls to OHA, recreational marijuana laws to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), and collection of marijuana taxes to the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR).
– Oregon Medical Marijuana Program FAQs
Telehealth for Cannabis in Oregon
Leafwell does not provide telehealth services for patients in Oregon at this moment in time. Join our waitlist today!
Recreational Cannabis Laws in Oregon
- Measure 91, 2014
– Law took into effect on July 1, 2015.
– Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed an emergency bill declaring marijuana sales legal to recreational users from dispensaries starting October 1, 2015, during an “early sales” period, through the end of 2016.
– Additional legislation signed into law by Governor Brown in March 2016 allowed the sale of medical and recreational marijuana from the same outlets. Medical marijuana dispensaries that had not obtained a recreational license were no longer permitted to sell for recreational use after 2016.
Benefits of having a Medical Marijuana Card in a Recreational State
- Higher possession limits
- You can grow more cannabis plants
- Lower taxes
- Better access to medical cannabis
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis Patients in Oregon
Cannabis Laws and Children in Oregon
It is legal for minors (those aged under 18) to qualify for an Oregon medical marijuana certificate and card. Minors will need a caregiver. Caregivers must be at least 21 years old and Oregon residents with valid state or federal identification.
Medical marijuana patients who are minors will need to complete the Minor Declaration Form.
Cannabis Possession Limits in Oregon
- For medical card holders: medical marijuana patients (and their caregivers, on a joint basis) may possess up to 24 ounces of usable cannabis; 16 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in solid form; 72 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in liquid form; 16 ounces of a cannabinoid concentrate whether sold alone or contained in an inhalant delivery system; 5 grams of a cannabinoid extract whether sold alone or contained in an inhalant delivery system; Four immature marijuana plants; and 50 seeds.
- For recreational users: 1 ounce on their person, and 8 ounces in their homes.
Cannabis Cultivation Laws in Oregon
- For medical card holders: qualifying patients may grow up to 16 plants, 6 mature and 10 seedlings per residence. The grow site address must be registered.
- For recreational users: 4 plants per residence.
Cannabis and Gun Laws in Oregon
You cannot legally possess a firearm and a medical marijuana certificate at the same time in Oregon.
Cannabis and Employment Law in Oregon
The Oregon state government follows the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act, if an employee’s use or conduct involving marijuana occurs in the workplace and results in a criminal drug statute conviction, they must notify the employer no later than 5 days after the conviction.
In the 2010 Oregon Supreme Court decision in the Emerald Steel case, the court held that employers have no obligation to accommodate employees who use medical marijuana. Employers are still allowed to have drug-free workplace policies and to enforce the provisions of those policies. Staff, volunteers, students or other persons still cannot possess or use marijuana on school grounds, even with a valid prescription.
Despite Oregon’s generally liberal attitudes towards cannabis, cannabis use, even for medical reasons, can get an employee terminated. Unlike many other states, there are no protections for employees, even for off-site use.
Local Cannabis Laws in Oregon
Here is a list of cities and counties in Oregon that have prohibited recreational cannabis.