Pubdate: Sat, 08 Mar 2014
Source: Oregonian, The (Portland, OR)
Copyright: 2014 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Author: Noelle Crombie

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN OREGON

281 DISPENSARIES APPLY FOR STATE REGISTRY IN OPENING WEEK

Officials say 281 medical marijuana dispensaries began the process of
registering with the state in the first week of a program that
regulates the retail sale of medical cannabis in Oregon.

The number is fewer than what was initially reported Monday, the
opening day of the program, when officials said they got 289
applications. Karynn Fish, spokeswoman for the state's medical
marijuana dispensary program, on Friday said the initial figure
included duplicate applications. She said some initial applicants withdrew.

The vast majority - 129 - were filed in Multnomah County, according to
data released Friday by the state. Lane County came in second with
39.

Here's how many applications were filed in the remaining
counties:

Benton: 4; Clackamas: 10; Clatsop: 4; Columbia: 1; Coos: 4; Curry: 3;
Deschutes: 16; Douglas: 5; Hood River, 2; Jackson: 19; Josephine: 3;
Klamath: 3; Lincoln: 10; Linn: 4; Malheur: 3; Marion: 13; Polk: 2;
Umatilla: 1; Union: 1; Washington: 4; Yamhill: 1.

Counties where no dispensaries applied: Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant,
Harney, Jefferson, Lake, Morrow, Sherman and Tillamook, Wallowa, Wasco
and Wheeler.

Until now, Oregon's medical marijuana retail industry has operated in
a gray area, relying largely on the tolerance of local communities and
police. Some communities, especially in Washington County and parts of
southern Oregon, balked at retail sales of medical marijuana and took
steps to shut down businesses. Others, notably Portland, greeted the
outlets with a shrug.

A new law, passed in 2013, directed the Oregon Health Authority to
create a registry of medical marijuana facilities. Those facilities
must follow security and testing rules and they have to carefully
track the marijuana coming in and out of their stores. The state,
meanwhile, has two regulators who will inspect the establishments annually.
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MAP posted-by: Matt