The Feds May Be Moving Slowly, But There's No Turning Back I keep reading articles about new states with weed programs. How is this still illegal federally? I KEEP READING about them too. Last month, Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana. Last week, it was Louisiana. As of today, 25 states and Washington, DC, have legalized weed for medical use. That's sort of more than half. By the end of this year, a true majority of states will have legalized something that is federally illegal. [continues 429 words]
We've reached another green-letter day in the state of Oregon's continuing experiment with legalizing recreational marijuana: Beginning Thursday, edible pot products are available for retail sale in registered medical marijuana dispensaries across the state. Not in Linn County, though: At this writing, no medical marijuana dispensary in the county legally can sell recreational marijuana, and that includes edibles intended for recreational users. Local governments throughout the county (including Linn County) have barred medical dispensaries from selling recreational pot. Voters in each of those jurisdictions will get a chance in November to decide the fate of those restrictions. [continues 517 words]
'It's Like the Circus Around Here,' Says One Commissioner PORTLAND, Ore. - After months of public hearings with pot growers, lawmen, public health officials and others, an Oregon commission is racing to finalize recreational marijuana regulations and issue licenses to hundreds of businesses within a few months. But those who aim to produce souped-up coffee and other niche products might have to wait a bit longer. "It's like the circus around here," Oregon Liquor Control Commission Chair Rob Patridge said after a hearing in which a pot advocate and a panel member argued about whether marijuana is safer than alcohol, and an entrepreneur discussed selling marijuana-infused java, eliciting blank looks from commissioners. [continues 123 words]
PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) - After months of public hearings with pot growers, lawmen, public health officials and others, an Oregon commission is racing to finalize recreational marijuana regulations and issue licenses to hundreds of businesses within a few months. But those who aim to produce souped-up coffee and other niche products might have to wait a bit longer. "It's like the circus around here," Oregon Liquor Control Commission Chair Rob Patridge said after a hearing in which a pot advocate and a panel member argued about whether marijuana is safer than alcohol, and an entrepreneur discussed selling marijuana-infused java, eliciting blank looks from commissioners. [continues 822 words]
A Look at the Cannabis-Friendly North Fork 53 Homestead IN A FUTURE COLUMN, we'll take a closer look at the seemingly schizophrenic rules being issued by city and state agencies that are making it damn near impossible to find anyplace outside your home to consume cannabis. (Spoiler alert: It's not going to be a feel-good column.) But for now, let's talk about something that will be a feel-good experience, namely the multifaceted gem North Fork 53, just down the road a piece on Highway 53 by Manzanita. [continues 619 words]
Are Giant Marijuana Companies on the Way? Will new cannabis laws create giant marijuana companies, like a Philip Morris or Anheuser-Busch of weed? SIGNS POINT to yes. The pot industry is in a curious place. On one hand, it is still a cottage industry. On the other, there are lots and lots of cottages, with legal sales projected to hit $6.7 billion this year. Somehow this is happening despite recreational weed being legal in just four states and despite the strictures of federal law. Since we have no idea how pot will be regulated going forward, it's actually kind of fun to theorize about it. [continues 417 words]
As of Thursday, anyone 21 or older can legally buy edible marijuana products, extracts and lotions in Oregon. There goes another brick in the wall of pot prohibition that Oregonians voted to tear down in 2014. It's likely that many Oregonians weren't aware of just how thorough the demolition job would be. An anything-goes marijuana economy is emerging, where everything from old-fashioned joints to pot-infused truffles is available. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which is charged with regulating recreational marijuana, needs to be vigilant in protecting consumers and public health - and the 2017 Legislature should be prepared to address any unwanted and unforeseen consequences of legalization. [continues 445 words]
I lucked into a few thousand bucks. Can I invest in weed? YES, BUT probably not in the way you're thinking. The general rule in this country is that only wealthy people get to invest in private companies. These "accredited investors" are allowed to invest under an exemption to the Securities and Exchange Commission's private offerings rules. If you made $200,000 for each of the past few years, or your net worth is north of $1 million, you may qualify. Most of us do not qualify, and probably don't fall under one of the less common exemptions either. The idea is that most people could not weather a financial shellacking and the world is filled with crooks. [continues 396 words]
Health Officials Warn to Keep Them Away From Children Area marijuana dispensaries and public health officials are recommending that recreational users use caution with extracts and edibles that will be come available Thursday, especially around children. Edible marijuana products with up to 15 milligrams of THC will be available at dispensaries that serve recreational users 21 and older. What's available at dispensaries for recreational users has a fraction of the potency available to medical marijuana cardholders, but Peter Gross, COO of Green Valley Wellness and Epic Edibles, says those not familiar with how an edible product affects them should be careful in the beginning. [continues 423 words]
It's Easy to Overdo Edibles. Here's Proof. RECREATIONAL CANNABIS EDIBLES are legal in Oregon starting June 2, which is great news. To be honest, I've actually been crafting them for recreational and medical use for more than 20 years. I often get asked, "Have you ever gotten too high on edibles?" And the answer is: Of course-regular readers will recognize impulse control isn't one of my strong points. The real question, though, is: "What's the worst experience someone's ever had from eating too many of your special cookies?" That's a long list from which to choose. [continues 667 words]
Bud bonus: We supported the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2014 for a number of reasons, from our belief in the reasonable exercise of personal liberty to the fact that recreational use was basically legal already thanks to the state's medical marijuana program. Way, way down on the list was the potential for recreational weed to generate piles of tax revenue. Legalization would make sense even if it produced nothing for state or local governments. Still, $10.5 million is nothing to sneeze at. That's how much the state has collected in only the first three months of taxed marijuana sales, Noelle Crombie of The Oregonian/OregonLive reported this week. At that rate, the state will pull in about $43 million in tax revenue from pot sales this year, according to the Legislative Revenue Office. That number might not seem large compared to, say, the billions of dollars the state collects in personal income taxes each year. But it's a heck of a lot more than the $2 million to $3 million in revenue economists had expected the state to collect this year. [continues 89 words]
Today, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law a provision of SB 1511, which will allow dispensaries to sell marijuana edibles and extracts to recreational customers. Under the current SB 1511, dispensaries are only able to sell edible and extract products to medicinal patients. Edibles and extracts were included in the original draft of the bill, but lawmakers decided there were too many safety concerns that needed to be assessed before they could include them in recreational sales. Myron Brandwine manages Casper's Cannabis Club, the recently opened marijuana dispensary near the University of Oregon. He said they are looking forward to selling these products to recreational customers. [continues 249 words]
Not All of Oregon Supports Legal Weed I HEARD WEED is still not happening in parts of Oregon. What's the latest? Things are coming around slowly. You know: strikes and gutters, ups and downs. You may recall that last week, when you dropped off your ballot for the presidential, state, and local races, pot was not on the ballot. For people in Grant and Klamath counties, the opposite was true. Both counties voted on measures to allow medical and retail facilities, and to allow citizens of the empire to access weed as we do here in Portland. Regrettably, both measures failed. [continues 418 words]
It's Easy to Forget About Anti-Weed Prohibitionists. Don't. AS WE APPROACH the one-year anniversary of recreational cannabis legalization in Oregon, it's easy to forget about the prohibitionist forces that aren't happy about it. This is a mistake, though-these opponents are spending massive amounts of time, money, and energy to roll back the progress that's been made. I've always struggled to understand who these prohibitionists are. I get that some religious people have a moral objection to cannabis and its use-which they've somehow extrapolated from that very popular book about the zombie miracle worker with a cool beverage party trick, who struggled with some serious daddy issues before being immortalized as a white Middle Easterner who looks like the Dude. [continues 611 words]
Commissioners OK Step After Beefing Up Zoning Enforcement. Clackamas County voters will be asked to approve a 3 percent local tax on retail sales of marijuana for recreational use. County commissioners started the process of referring the tax to the Nov. 8 ballot Tuesday, after they approved several steps to beef up enforcement against marijuana-related violations of zoning and development regulations. "This commission has said we want teeth in this, so let's put some teeth into it," Commissioner Tootie Smith said. [continues 643 words]
Deschutes County commissioners may take the first step toward approval of the rules governing the growing, processing and sales of marijuana in the unincorporated county today. The move would put them on track to adopt county code changes in early June. It's the right thing to do. Marijuana use, both recreational and medical, is now legal in the state of Oregon and that should mean it's also legal to produce the stuff. What's proposed, meanwhile, strikes a reasonable balance between those who would ban all marijuana production from the county and those who would like to be able to grow, process or sell it anywhere they please. [continues 227 words]
I am very disappointed by the lack of temerity on the part of the Medford City Council by putting it out to vote on the growing of marijuana in the city limits. I feel the council has been swayed by the minority protestors. Until you have lived next to a pot grow and had to share the skunk like odors you won't know how unpleasant it can be. Also if it is allowed, what will the city do if a neighbor files a complaint? And will there be any law on how far away from a school a pot grow can be established. These are questions voters should know the answers to before voting. Chuck Gates Medford [end]
MEDFORD, Ore. - Only a handful of medical marijuana growers have applied for Jackson County permits to keep growing on rural residential land - even though growers without permits face fines of up to $10,000 and orders to remove their plants. Most are flying under the radar, hoping to avoid detection rather than pay the $1,563 permit application fee, the Mail Tribune reported. Jackson County has received only seven applications from growers hoping to be grandfathered in by qualifying for a pre-existing, non-conforming use permit. [continues 511 words]
Bend city councilors decided Wednesday to expand the options for marijuana processors in the city of Bend even as they highlighted a problem with city zoning that the community development department hopes to correct this fall. Most of what the council did will bring city code into line with changes in marijuana law passed by the 2016 Legislature. Thus the code no longer defines recreational and medical marijuana separately, either for retail or manufacturing purposes. Councilors also agreed to allow marijuana processing in what are known as mixed employment districts, areas where a variety of businesses and some residential buildings are allowed. [continues 244 words]
Patenting Isn't Easy, But It Can Be Done I CULTIVATED an innovative new strain of weed. Can I patent it? Yes, you probably can. The first weed strain patent was issued last August to a group of California breeders. This raised some eyebrows, and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has since confirmed that it is processing both plant and utility patent applications for individual varieties of cannabis (and also poppy). To acquire a plant patent, your weed strain must simply have a distinct characteristic. To acquire a utility patent, however, it must be new and non-obvious as compared to existing strains. It also must exhibit different characteristics from weed in its natural state. Aside from that, one USPTO spokesperson recently assured a Vice magazine journalist that "there are no special statutory requirements of restrictions applied to marijuana plants." So, there you have it. [continues 365 words]
Inside Oregon
