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Oregon Cannabis Commission to Implement New Rules Through 2022 |

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission has spent the last 18 months crafting new rules to improve the state’s cannabis industry.

In a press release dated December 28, the OLCC stated that new rules for cannabis would be implemented between 2022-2023. Steve Marks, executive director of the OLCC, spoke out about the need to make these changes. He also expressed the desire for an outcome once the changes are live. 

“These rules try to balance a number of different concerns—consumer health and safety, interests of small and large operators in our industry and public safety concerns around loopholes in the Federal Farm Bill of 2018, and the illicit farm production taking place in Oregon,” Marks said. 

These changes were made possible by the passage of Senate Bill 408 and House Bill 3000. HB-3000 creates a foundation for limitations on “THC-laden hemp products from being sold unregulated in Oregon,” while SB-408 restructured penalties for licensees who violated the rules.

In the press release, it is stated that violations that were in effect since 2016 have become obsolete and that new regulations will build on the existing industry landscape. Some of the new rules went into effect on January 1, 2022; however, other rules won’t immediately go live and will instead roll out from now through the beginning of 2023.

The OLCC notes that the “fading threat of Federal government action” due to the number of states that have legalized cannabis has also led to another rule change that restructures and reduces penalties for licensees who violate certain rules. OLCC Commissioner Matt Maletis admits that although it isn’t a perfect solution, it will still help the industry as a whole. “It may not make everybody happy, but it’s a pathway, and I think it solves a lot of the issues,” Maletis stated.

Customers will be affected by changes in the rules. Two ounces of edible cannabis will be available to consumers starting in the new year. In particular, the amount of mg for edibles will increase from 50mg to 100mg. This will make them eligible for sales after April 1, 2022. Additionally, “artificially derived cannabinoids” such as CBN or delta-8 products are now required to go through a review process to determine if they meet the standard of “New Dietary Ingredient,” with 18 months to ensure compliance.

Delivery services to homes will be allowed in all cities and counties that allow it. The OLCC plans to add a section to its website for information about delivery areas.

Marks closed the press release by reminding that many factors were involved in these changes, and the OLCC believes it will make the industry better. “We did listen to the public and did make significant changes to these rules, and I want to reiterate that we have come a very long way,” said Marks. “And this industry established success for Oregon. This is a market that creates a profitable business and a market for consumers. This is another big turn of progress.”

Oregon has met a variety of hurdles recently, including the still-thriving black market—so much that it was declared a state of emergency. For the moment, however, legislation like Senate Bill 893 will help to curb illegal cultivation. The state received a $10million grant from the Global Innovation Center at Oregon State University to support hemp research. OSU’s researchers said that the grant program is competitive and they feel fortunate to have been chosen from other top institutions.

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