How To Open a Dispensary In Oregon

Oregon Marijuana Laws

In 1998, Oregon voters passed Oregon Ballot Measure 67, establishing the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act and allowing the cultivation, possession and use of marijuana by patients with written recommendations from physicians for certain medical conditions. However, licensed dispensaries did not open until 2014, under House Bill 3460 [2013]. In the same year, Oregon voters passed Measure 91, authorizing the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to begin regulating recreational marijuana businesses.

One of the biggest challenges in Oregon has been the complete separation of the supply chains for the medical and recreational marijuana markets. Oregon has made limited adjustments, such as the licensing of medical canopy by OLCC producers and the ability for OMMP growers to transfer up to 20 lbs of marijuana per year to the OLCC market.

While Oregon’s market for marijuana is large, the market is oversaturated, leading to dramatic declines in the price of recreational marijuana. The state distributed $95M in tax revenue from the recreational marijuana market by September 2017, only a year and a half after beginning to accept applications for recreational marijuana businesses.

As of April 2018, Oregon had over 45,000 registered patients and 22,000 registered growers. This is a decrease since the peak of 73,000 in 2016; a change likely due to the introduction of the recreational market.

On December 20, 2018, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) adopted changes in the rules regulating recreational marijuana focusing on licensing and compliance requirements, providing licensees flexibility with business, and access to medical marijuana for patients.

• On January 31, 2019 the OLCC released Recreational Marijuana Supply and Demand Legislative Report.
• A temporary rule effective Sep. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019: 845-025-1131 Producer Applications Processing Deadlines
• A temporary rule effective Sep. 9, 2019 - Dec. 31, 2019: 845-025-1132 Changes to Producer Applications
• A temporary rule effective October 15, 2019: 845-025-2805 Prohibited Vapor Product Sales and Manufacture.
• A temporary rule effective October 15, 2019: 845-025-5760 Audit, Compliance, and Random Testing.

Application Fees/Start up costs

Marijuana Producer, Marijuana Processor, Marijuana Retailer, and Marijuana Wholesaler license applications all must submit a $250.00 application fee.

Available License Types

• Marijuana Producer
• Marijuana Processo
• Marijuana Retailer
• Marijuana Wholesaler