Gov. Kate Brown has signed into law two bills that will spell dramatic changes for Oregon’s recreational cannabis industry, Noelle Crombie reports for The Oregonian.
Senate Bill 1598 eases the process of entering the official recreational market by removing a certain paperwork requirement when applying for a state recreational license. The provision aims to help small growers get their foot in the door via a so-called “micro-canopy” license, which would cost less and have fewer requirements. SB 1598 also designates medical and research marijuana crops as state-recognized farm crops — protecting them from potential lawsuits by neighbors. Recreational grows are already state-recognized farm crops.
House Bill 4014 removes a two-year residence requirement for recreational marijuana producers, processors and retailers. It also changes medical registration fees for veterans from $200 to $20, adjusts technicalities to bring medical cannabis regulations more in line with typical pharmaceutical medications. Finally, HB 4014 also allows all marijuana companies to deduct typical business expenses under federal tax code when filing for state tax returns.
There are two other proposals awaiting Gov. Brown’s signatures:
One, Senate Bill 1511, would allow the state’s medical dispensaries — which are currently the only legal recreational means of purchasing cannabis products in the state — to also sell concentrated marijuana products such as edibles, oils and concentrates.
The otherr, House Bill 4094, would allow Oregon banks and credit unions to do business with cannabis companies without having to worry about potential liability issues.