An Oregon legislative committee has unanimously approved a bill that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to sell recreational cannabis as part of a temporary marketplace while state regulators work toward a more permanent solution. Supporters of this move argue that consumers should be granted a legal method of obtaining the drug once it becomes legal, otherwise the state may witness a dramatic spike in black market marijuana sales.
The law in question, Senate Bill 460, would limit early buyers to one-quarter ounce of dried buds per day. Seeds and clones would also be available for consumers who wish to make the jump to homegrown cannabis.
As per the Oregonian:
“To take effect, the legislation still must win approval from the full House and Senate and be signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown. The governor has not said publicly whether she supports early sales. OLCC officials strongly oppose the idea, saying the state should wait until the agency has strict controls in place to ensure that marijuana is stringently tested and comes from legal sources.”
Meanwhile, most industry advocates and dispensary owners fully support the early access legislation. Even state lawmakers seem likely to approve the bill: without SB 460, Oregon cannabis consumers will have to resort to the black market for their products until the permanent market comes online, which isn’t expected until late in 2016.
Sources:
http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/06/early_marijuana_sales_program.html
http://marijuanapolitics.com/oregon-cannabis-retailers-are-ready-to-roll-on-adult-use-sale/
Photo Credit: Dank Depot
Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe
End
