To understand Oregon marijuana laws, we have to go all the way back to 1923 when, during a spate of bans nationwide, Oregon outlawed cannabis along with the states of Iowa, Washington, and Vermont. Twelve years later, in 1935, Oregon went one step further by expanding the powers of existing state and federal drug laws by passing the Uniform State Narcotic Drug Act.
However, by 1973, the tides had changed, and Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana by reducing penalties for marijuana possession of less than one ounce to a simple violation that carried just a $100 fine, a far cry from the typical jail sentences of previous years.
However, by 1973, the tides had changed, and Oregon became the first state to decriminalize marijuana by reducing penalties for marijuana possession of less than one ounce to a simple violation that carried just a $100 fine, a far cry from the typical jail sentences of previous years.
Learn more about marijuana in Oregon
Over the next few years, several additional ballot measures attempted to expand on the 1998 law, including one initiative in 2012 that attempted recreational legalization, but all were defeated by voters.
In 2014, voters approved Measure 91 by a margin of 56 percent to 44 percent, which legalized the non-medicinal cultivation and use of marijuana by adults aged 21 or older, effective July 1, 2015.
Due to a lack of legal ways to purchase marijuana after July 1, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed an emergency order in 2015 that allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to sell products to recreational users starting on October 1, 2015, almost a year before retail shops were scheduled to open and thereby closing the legal loophole of recreational users that could grow and consume marijuana, but couldn't legally purchase it.
FAQs
Does Oregon allow medical marijuana? ▼
Yes, both medical and recreational marijuana is permitted by Oregon marijuana laws.
Medical marijuana was first allowed in 1998 with the passing of Measure 67, also known as the "Oregon Medical Marijuana Act," which established the state's medical marijuana permit system and legalized the medicinal use of marijuana statewide.
Medical marijuana was first allowed in 1998 with the passing of Measure 67, also known as the "Oregon Medical Marijuana Act," which established the state's medical marijuana permit system and legalized the medicinal use of marijuana statewide.
Is weed legal in Oregon?▼
According to Oregon weed laws, the recreational use, cultivation, and transportation of marijuana is legal in the state under certain limits.
Oregon Ballot Measure 91, which passed in 2014 and was approved by 56 percent of voters, governs much of recreational cannabis possession, sale, and use rules in the state.
Oregon Ballot Measure 91, which passed in 2014 and was approved by 56 percent of voters, governs much of recreational cannabis possession, sale, and use rules in the state.
Where are the dispensaries located in Oregon?▼
There are over 300 actively registered dispensaries in Oregon, with more expected to be licensed in both the medical and recreational markets.
However, the state allows cities and jurisdictions to ban marijuana cultivation and sales and, as of March 2017, 73 cities and 16 counties have prohibited licensed marijuana businesses.
However, the state allows cities and jurisdictions to ban marijuana cultivation and sales and, as of March 2017, 73 cities and 16 counties have prohibited licensed marijuana businesses.
Are the Oregon dispensaries recreational or medical? ▼
With over 20 years of medical marijuana and five years of recreational legalization, Oregon weed laws have permitted a mixture of both medical and recreational dispensaries.
The biggest change came in 2015 when, due to the slow rollout of recreational dispensaries, lawmakers in Oregon created an emergency law that allowed medical dispensaries to sell marijuana recreationally beginning on October 1, 2015.
As the Oregon Department of Health oversees the state's medical marijuana program, and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission is in charge of running the state's recreational program, Oregon dispensaries have to choose a focus: medical or recreational. The first recreational-only licensed dispensaries in Oregon opened their doors on October 1, 2016, nearly two years after Measure 91 was passed.
The biggest change came in 2015 when, due to the slow rollout of recreational dispensaries, lawmakers in Oregon created an emergency law that allowed medical dispensaries to sell marijuana recreationally beginning on October 1, 2015.
As the Oregon Department of Health oversees the state's medical marijuana program, and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission is in charge of running the state's recreational program, Oregon dispensaries have to choose a focus: medical or recreational. The first recreational-only licensed dispensaries in Oregon opened their doors on October 1, 2016, nearly two years after Measure 91 was passed.
Payment Methods Accepted at Dispensaries in Oregon ▼
Due largely to the continued federal prohibition of marijuana in the U.S., banking and financial services remain a problem across the cannabis industry. In Oregon, most dispensaries accept cash or debit, though debit cards are typically run as ATM transactions. Most dispensaries also have ATMs on site.
Know Your Oregon Marijuana Laws: Grow Limits▼
According to Oregon marijuana laws, residents are allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants on their property (also the household limit) and possess up to eight ounces of marijuana at home.
Medical marijuana patients, on the other hand, are allowed to grow up to 12 immature and six mature marijuana plants. Additional types of public and grandfathered grow sites have extended limits.
Medical marijuana patients, on the other hand, are allowed to grow up to 12 immature and six mature marijuana plants. Additional types of public and grandfathered grow sites have extended limits.
Oregon Purchasing Limits ▼
All adults with a valid, 21+ ID can purchase up to:
For medical marijuana cardholders, the purchase limit for is raised to 24 ounces of flower and 50 seeds -- all other amounts are the same.
- One ounce of marijuana flower
- Five grams of marijuana concentrate or extract
- 16 ounces of marijuana edibles in solid form
- 72 ounces of marijuana products in liquid form
- 10 marijuana seeds
- Four immature marijuana plants
For medical marijuana cardholders, the purchase limit for is raised to 24 ounces of flower and 50 seeds -- all other amounts are the same.
Can you go into a dispensary when you're under 21 in Oregon?▼
While some dispensaries have admittance or lobby areas where they check ID, you will not be able to browse or purchase products without a valid, 21+ ID.
With a valid medical marijuana card, you may enter any medical marijuana dispensary and purchase marijuana products.
With a valid medical marijuana card, you may enter any medical marijuana dispensary and purchase marijuana products.
How old do you have to be to purchase marijuana in Oregon?▼
To purchase from a recreational dispensary in Oregon you must be 21 or older with a valid ID.
To purchase from a medical dispensary in the state you must have a valid medical marijuana card from the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
To purchase from a medical dispensary in the state you must have a valid medical marijuana card from the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
Do you need a medical card to enter a dispensary in Oregon?▼
No, you can enter any recreational marijuana dispensary with just a valid photo ID if you are over the age of 21.
To enter a medical marijuana dispensary, on the other hand, you must have a valid Oregon medical marijuana card.
Oregon Marijuana Laws - Possession/Use Limits ▼
Recreational marijuana users in Oregon have different possession limits than medical marijuana cardholders, according to Oregon marijuana laws. For example, while a medical cardholder may possess up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana, a recreational consumer is limited to just one ounce. At home, though, a recreational consumer may store up to eight ounces of cannabis.
Recreational customers may possess up to:
Medical patients or a registered caregiver may possess up to:
Any medical patient or caregiver caught in excess of the possession limit is subject to criminal penalties, including misdemeanor charges.
- One ounce of marijuana flower
- Six ounces of a cannabinoid product in solid form (such as cannabutter)
- 72 ounces of a cannabinoid product in liquid form (such as tincture)
- Five grams of cannabinoid extract or concentrate (such as wax)
- Four immature marijuana plants
- 10 marijuana seeds
Medical patients or a registered caregiver may possess up to:
- 24 ounces of marijuana flower
- 16 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in solid form
- 72 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in liquid form
- 16 ounces of cannabinoid concentrate
- Five grams of a cannabinoid extract
- Four immature marijuana plants
- 50 marijuana seeds
Any medical patient or caregiver caught in excess of the possession limit is subject to criminal penalties, including misdemeanor charges.
Oregon Consumption▼
According to Oregon marijuana laws, marijuana and marijuana-infused products are not to be consumed in "a place to which the general public has access and includes, but is not limited to, hallways, lobbies, and other parts of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence, and highways, streets, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds and premises used in connection with public passenger transportation."
This means that marijuana may not be smoked, vaporized, eaten, applied or otherwise consumed or used in any public place, which may include:
This means that marijuana may not be smoked, vaporized, eaten, applied or otherwise consumed or used in any public place, which may include:
- The lobby and hallways of hotels and apartment complexes
- Highways, streets and public roads
- Preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools, and other child care facilities
- Amusement parks, including water parks
- City parks and playgrounds
- While using public transportation
- In a correctional center or detention facility
Growing Marijuana in Oregon▼
All cultivators planning to grow marijuana in Oregon must apply with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and receive a valid producer license. Licensing fees cost a few thousand dollars and includes a $500 application fee.
According to a report from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission in 2017, over 2,000 applications had been submitted to grow marijuana commercially in the state, far beyond the estimated 800 applications they expected.
According to a report from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission in 2017, over 2,000 applications had been submitted to grow marijuana commercially in the state, far beyond the estimated 800 applications they expected.
Recreational At-Home Cultivation in Oregon▼
Recreational marijuana consumers may grow up to four plants per residence in a locked and secure area out of public view.
Oregon Marijuana Law: Transport▼
All registered medical marijuana cardholders, caregivers and growers, as well as all recreational users, may transport up to the possession limits defined by the state.
And although marijuana is legal in neighboring Washington and California, bringing cannabis across state lines is considered federal drug trafficking, regardless of what Oregon marijuana laws say, so leave the weed in the state you purchase it if you're road tripping.
As for driving while intoxicated, it's illegal, so don't toke and drive.
And although marijuana is legal in neighboring Washington and California, bringing cannabis across state lines is considered federal drug trafficking, regardless of what Oregon marijuana laws say, so leave the weed in the state you purchase it if you're road tripping.
As for driving while intoxicated, it's illegal, so don't toke and drive.
Is Marijuana Delivery Legal in Oregon?▼
Oddly enough, Oregon weed laws allow marijuana delivery for recreational users, but not for medical marijuana cardholders, who must go to a medical marijuana dispensary to purchase their cannabis.
Marijuana and Driving in Oregon▼
Oregon law states that under no circumstance is an individual to drive while impaired by marijuana. Driving under the influence of any intoxicant, just like driving drunk, carries criminal charges, civil fines up to $6,250, up to one year in jail and the suspension of your driver�?�¢??s license for a minimum of 30 days
Oregon Marijuana Laws and Facts▼
- Oregon's temporary tax on the recreational sale of marijuana from medical dispensaries in 2015 was a whopping 25%.
- Strangely enough, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, retail marijuana's governing body, does not advise businesses on how to obtain their starter plants once they have been approved as a licensed cultivator.
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