Update, 10/9/15, 4:55 p.m. ET: From the OLCC: The Recreational Marijuana Rules Technical Advisory Subcommittee - Licensing, Compliance and Enforcement, meets at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 12, 2015, at the OLCC's main office; 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland, OR 97222. Space is limited; capacity for the meeting room is 60.
For questions, please call 503-872-6366 or email [email protected].
Developed With Public Input From Across Oregon, Temporary Rules Are First Step in Regulating Legalized Marijuana Industry
[Press Release] Portland, Oregon – The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) has released DRAFT temporary rules for regulating the recreational marijuana industry. “Since voters passed Measure 91 the OLCC has worked diligently to include the advice and concerns of Oregonians in shaping the regulations that will oversee the emerging legal recreational marijuana industry,” said Rob Patridge, OLCC Chairman. “The DRAFT temporary rules published by the OLCC reflect the public process that is unique to Oregon.”
Oregon legislators modified Measure 91 during the 2015 legislative session and the OLCC used those changes, and Measure 91, as a guide to develop Oregon Administrative Rules for recreational marijuana. More than 100 citizens, from the marijuana industry, law enforcement and government, and community organizations have participated in a Rules Advisory Committee and technical subcommittees providing recommendations that OLCC staff have used to write the Rules.
To gather initial input from Oregonians, after the passage of Measure 91, the OLCC embarked on a unique outreach campaign starting with development of an OLCC recreational marijuana website to provide information about the legislative and administrative process and progress. More than 16,500 participants took an online survey created by the OLCC to identify regulatory priorities and to shape a community meeting process.
In early 2015 the OLCC held town hall meetings in 11 cities around the state, attracting 3,000 participants whose collective feedback was that the Commission should prioritize: protecting children, safeguarding the small marijuana grower, creating economic opportunity and not over regulating, and diminishing the illegal market.
“Not only has the input and guidance from Oregonians been used to craft the administrative rules, it’s also a reflection of the effort to make this process transparent and inclusive,” said Patridge.
On Friday, October 9, 2015 the Commission will hold a public hearing on the temporary rules, even though it is not required, because it wants to have additional public feedback. The Commission is scheduled to decide whether or not to accept the DRAFT temporary rules at its October 22, 2015 meeting.
The OLCC anticipates the temporary Rules will take effect early January 2016. The OLCC will have 180 days to adopt permanent rules after the temporary rules take effect.
The OLCC will hold public hearings to receive public testimony, and will accept written comments on the permanent rules during a period of public comment.
The temporary rules adopted by the Commission this year will stay in effect until they are superseded by the final rules.
“We will continue to engage the public and encourage the public’s participation as the OLCC creates and implements a regulatory process that reflects the will of the voters and the desires of all Oregonians,” said Patridge.
