Oregon lawmakers move to prepare for interstate pot commerce

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – It may seem like a pipe dream now, but Oregon lawmakers are anticipating the federal government legalizing, or at least tolerating, the interstate transfer of marijuana and have moved forward a bill empowering the governor to enter into agreements with other states for such transactions.

Senate Bill 582 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, sending it to the Senate floor for a vote.

Sen. Shemia Fagan, D-Portland, who was among five committee members who voted for the bill Wednesday, said it would give Oregon marijuana businesses an advantage, if the federal government opens the path.

Sen. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, one of two who voted against, said he prefers to wait for the federal government to take action.

Oregon was the first state to decriminalize personal possession, in 1973. It legalized medical marijuana in 1998, and recreational use in 2014.