OLCC wants peace officers for pot enforcement

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission voted Friday to ask the Legislature for some kind of peace officer authority in order to adequately enforce the rules under Measure 91, which legalizes recreational marijuana starting July 1.

“We don’t want the agency to be a paper tiger when it comes to enforcing the law,” said OLCC Chairman Rob Patridge.

Agency peace officers would facilitate coordination with local law enforcement on matters ranging from minor decoy operations to criminal investigations. The agency currently employs 45 peace officers in its alcohol public safety division.

The commissioners also invited representatives from local government and law enforcement as well as experts from the marijuana industry to provide testimony on the implementation of Measure 91, the recreational marijuana law passed by voters in November.

“We heard a lot of unanimity on some key issues,” Patridge said. “Law enforcement, local government and industry agree that we need to ensure that product advertising and packaging does not appeal to minors. And we heard broad agreement that our rules need to establish bright lines for effective enforcement and regulation.”