OLCC urges separate medical, recreational pot sales

Recreational and medical marijuana should not be sold at the same retail outlets unless both products are tracked and tested in the same way, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission said Friday in a message to the Oregon Legislature.

The request was approved by all five commission members as part of a memo to legislators that identified potential gaps in Measure 91, the recreational marijuana measure passed by voters in November.

“OLCC does not want to be responsible for the co-location of medical and recreational operations unless the medical side is run in a manner consistent with federal guidelines,” said OLCC Chairman Rob Patridge.

Federal guidelines require that states that have legalized recreational pot ensure that marijuana does not move into the illegal market or across state lines.

In implementing the recreational marijuana law, the OLCC will use a “seed-to-sale” system to track marijuana from licensed growers to processors, wholesalers and, eventually, retail outlets.

Oregon’s medical marijuana program, currently administered by the Oregon Health Authority, has no tracking system.

Meanwhile, anyone wishing to serve on the OLCC’s marijuana rules advisory committee has until March 15 to submit a brief e-mail outlining their qualifications and areas of expertise to marijuana@oregon.gov .

The rules advisory committee will help the OLCC develop the administrative rules necessary to implement Measure 91, the recreational marijuana law approved by voters last November.

Anyone applying should put “RAC Application” in the subject line.

“The rules advisory committee is critical to the public involvement process,” said Patridge. “The commission is committed to selecting committee members who share our commitment to implement the law in a way that protects kids, keeps our communities safe, promotes economic opportunity, and brings the recreational marijuana market under regulation.”

Under a staff recommendation approved by the Commission today , the advisory committee, which will have between 11 and 15 members, will include individuals from the general public, as well as those with expertise in areas related to the implementation of the new law.

They include law enforcement, local government and those involved in the existing marijuana industry. Once appointed, the committee will also appoint subcommittees to provide information on specific issues related to the new law.

In its selection process, the agency will take into account diversity and regional representation from around the state, as well as the need for business knowledge and public involvement.

Volunteers for the marijuana rules advisory committee should be aware of the time commitment involved with serving on the committee. The committee will meet at least once per month between April and October of this year, with the subcommittees meeting as needed.

The agency must complete its rulemaking by November in order to begin accepting applications for commercial marijuana licenses in January of 2016.

Learn more at http://marijuana.oregon.gov