Online survey seeks views on Ore. marijuana rules

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has launched an online community survey at marijuana.oregon.gov asking Oregonians to share their hopes and concerns about the coming legal market for recreational marijuana.

The survey, which is open through next Monday will help the agency plan a statewide listening tour to be announced later this month.

“We need to hear from Oregonians across the state as we implement the law,” said OLCC Chairman Rob Patridge. “We need to hear from community members, parents, law enforcement, people who want to grow or sell recreational marijuana, and local governments. We want to know your priorities. What should marijuana regulation look like in your community?”

After some demographic information, the survey asks respondents’ “primary concern or hope” about the recreational marijuana law.

It then lists some issues for survey-takers to prioritize, from “restricting products, advertising and packaging that appeal to children” to preventing such businesses near schools, developing DUII, testing and labeling standards or “limiting recreational marijuana licenses to Oregon residents only.”

Patridge said the survey and listening tour are the first steps in a yearlong rulemaking process that will include monthly Commission meetings, rules advisory committee meetings and other opportunities to hear from the public.

“OLCC is committed to a transparent and inclusive public process to help us implement the law in a way that protects children, keeps our communities safe, and brings the recreational marijuana industry into the regulated market,” he said.

Under the new law, possession of recreational marijuana becomes legal on July 1 of this year. The OLCC must begin accepting applications for commercial licenses next January, with retail stores to open by late 2016.

The survey will be live on the web through January 12 at http://marijuana.oregon.gov .