In case you have been living under a rock this week, Oregon voted to legalize marijuana, along with Alaska and Washington D.C.. A question that I’ve been getting a lot from friends and family is ‘when can I go into a store and buy marijuana?’ It’s a logical question. Below is a summary from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), which is in charge of licensing and regulating recreational marijuana stores:
Q: When will marijuana stores be open?
A: Measure 91 requires OLCC to begin accepting license applications by January 4, 2016.
Q: Will there be a quota for how many retail outlets will be allowed?
A: The measure does not specifically address the number of retail outlets allowed. Specifics for licensing retail outlets will be determined by the Commission after the completion of a public rulemaking process.
Q: What will OLCC be doing to get ready for marijuana stores?
A: With the public’s help, OLCC will create a process for licensing, regulating, and collecting taxes. We will be exploring many policy questions through an extensive public rulemaking process including legislative and public input. To keep up to date, click here.
Q: What licenses will be available?
A: The measure lists four types of recreational marijuana licenses: Producer, Processor, Wholesaler, and Retail
Q: What is a Producer license?
A: A Producer is also known as the grower. Rules that will define the privileges of the Producer license will be completed after a public rulemaking process. To keep up to date, click here.
Q: What is a Processor license?
A: A Processor is a business that will transform the raw marijuana into another product or extract. Processors are also responsible for packaging and labeling of recreational marijuana. Rules that will define the privileges of the Processor license will be completed after a public rulemaking process. To keep up to date, click here.
Q: What is a Wholesaler license?
A: A Wholesaler is a business that buys in bulk and sells to resellers rather than to consumers. Rules that will define the privileges of the Wholesaler license will be completed after a public rulemaking process. To keep up to date, click here.
Q: What is a Retailer license?
A: A Retailer is a business that sells directly to consumers. Rules that will define the privileges of the Retailer license will be completed after a public rulemaking process.To keep up to date, click here.
Q: How much are the licensing fees?
A: Measure 91 establishes an annual license fee of $1,000 plus a non-refundable application fee of $250 per license application.
Q: How many licenses can I have?
A: There are four license types: Producer, Processor, Wholesale and Retail. A licensee may hold multiple licenses and multiple license types.
Q: Can an out-of-state resident hold an Oregon recreational marijuana license?
A: Measure 91 does not specifically address this question.
Q: When can I submit my application?
A: The measure requires that OLCC begin accepting license applications no later than January 4, 2016. To keep up to date, click here.
Q: Who will be eligible for a marijuana license?
A: Anyone over 21 years old is eligible for a recreational marijuana license if they meet certain conditions outlined in section 29 of the measure.
Q: What if my city/county wants to go “dry?”
A: Measure 91 states that local governments may not prohibit licenses in their jurisdiction except via general election. Measure 91 allows local governments to adopt time, place and manner restrictions to regulate public nuisance.
Q: What kinds of testing will OLCC require?
A: OLCC has the authority to set testing requirements. These types of policy questions will require an extensive public rulemaking process including legislative and public input.
