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Cannabis in Oregon

Medical cannabis was legalized in Oregon in 1999, and adult-use marijuana was legalized in November 2014. The state began accepting adult-use business license applications on January 1, 2016. The state has decriminalized cannabis under certain limits.

Overview of Key Oregon Cannabis Laws

Is medical cannabis allowed? Yes

Is adult-use cannabis allowed? Yes

Personal Laws

Cannabis has been decriminalized in Oregon within certain limits. Adults age 21 years of age or older may possess and grow small amounts of cannabis. Individuals from other states who visit Oregon cannot make medical cannabis purchases within the state. Instead, they must buy from Oregon-licensed adult-use dispensaries during their visits.

Personal Possession

Registered Medical Patient or Caregiver Possession:

  • Up to 24 oz. 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
  • 4 immature marijuana plants
  • 50 seedlings

Adult-Use Possession: Up to 1 oz. of cannabis (possession of more than 1 oz. but no more than 2 oz. is considered a legal violation penalized with a $650 fine but no jail time)

Non-Oregon Resident Possession: Same as adult-use possession

Personal Growing

Adults age 21 or older can grow cannabis in Oregon under certain limitations. They can also deliver up to 1 oz. of homegrown cannabis to another person over the age of 21 without compensation.

Registered Medical Patient Growing (not located at patient’s residence): No more than 6 mature plants and 12 immature plants that are 24” or more in height and 36 immature plants that are less than 24” in height

Growing at Patient’s Residence by Patient or Caregiver: Maximum of 12 mature plants and 24 immature plants (no size definitions) regardless of the number of patients at the residence

Registered Caregiver Growing: No more than 6 mature plants and 12 immature plants that are 24” or more in height and 36 immature plants that are less than 24” in height per patient

Recreational User Growing: Up to 4 plants homegrown

Medical Cannabis Patient Qualification and Registry

Patients with qualifying conditions who receive recommendations for medical marijuana from attending physicians may apply for medical marijuana cards. A patient may select one caregiver.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Cachexia
  • Cancer
  • Chronic pain
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV or AIDS
  • Nausea
  • Persistent muscle spasms
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Seizures
  • Other conditions are subject to approval

Business Laws

Vertical integration or “license stacking” is allowed for both medical and recreational cannabis businesses, which means a company can hold multiple licenses across the Oregon marijuana supply chain (e.g., both cultivation and dispensary licenses).

Residency is not required to apply for a cannabis business license in Oregon. There is currently no limit on the number of licenses that Oregon will issue for its medical and recreational cannabis programs.

License Types

  • Medical Grower
  • Medical Processor
  • Medical Dispensary
  • Recreational Producer (grower)
    • Micro Tier I
    • Micro Tier II
    • Tier I
    • Tier II
    • Medical Canopy
  • Recreational Processor
  • Recreational Wholesaler
  • Recreational Micro Wholesaler
  • Recreational Retailer
  • Sampling Laboratory

License Fees

  • Medical Grower: $200 application fee
  • Medical Processor: $500 application fee and $3,500 license fee
  • Medical Dispensary: $500 application fee and $3,500 license fee
  • Recreational Producer (grower): $250 application fee PLUS
    • Micro Tier I: $1,000 license fee
    • Micro Tier II: $2,000 license fee
    • Tier I: $3,750 license fee
    • Tier II: $5,750 license fee
    • Medical Canopy: $100 license fee
  • Recreational Processor: $250 application fee and $4,750 license fee
  • Recreational Wholesaler: $250 application fee and $4,750 license fee
  • Recreational Micro Wholesaler: $250 application fee and $1,000 license fee
  • Recreational Retailer: $250 application fee and $4,750 license fee
  • Sampling Laboratory: $250 application fee and $2,250 license fee

License Timeline

Oregon is accepting license applications.

Testing

Cannabis testing is required in Oregon. A medical marijuana dispensary may only accept test results from a laboratory that is licensed by both the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) and the Oregon Health Authority’s Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ORELAP). Recreational cannabis testing must be done by a lab certified by the Oregon Health Authority and licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

Training

All cannabis industry workers must pass a state test and obtain a permit.

Learn More about Cannabis in Oregon and How to Work or Start a Business in the Oregon Cannabis Industry

Leafy Green Agency offers a variety of certification seminars for people who want to start businesses, find jobs, get promotions, or invest in the cannabis industry in Oregon and across the country. Follow the link to learn more about our educational seminars.

Sources and More Information

Data current as of 1/5/20.