Recreational marijuana is legal Wednesday – within limits

Starting Wednesday, recreational marijuana becomes legal in Oregon for adults 21 and older. But there are limits, state officials reminded Tuesday.

The What’s Legal? public education campaign (www.whatslegaloregon.com) provides basic information about what is and is not permissible under Measure 91, the voter-approved initiative passed last November.

Using the slogan “Educate Before You Recreate,” the website is part of a larger campaign that launched two weeks ago and includes a social media campaign; radio, newspaper and digital ads; and a toolkit with posters, a video, shareable social media posts and other materials (including those in Spanish) that can be shared and downloaded from the website.

People can also connect with the campaign via facebook.com/whatslegalOR (Facebook) and @whatslegalOR (Twitter and Instagram).

“We have received a lot of positive feedback and overwhelming interest from people who have found the website a great help in understanding the basics of Measure 91. In just the first week, more than 50,000 people visited the website, and 30,000 people viewed the campaign video,” said Steve Marks, executive director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which financed the campaign.

“We know that Oregonians clearly want this information. We also know that questions about what Oregonians can and cannot do are going to continue. As we move beyond July 1, the information on the website will continue to be updated so that it’s as relevant and helpful as possible.”

The campaign features those aspects of the law that Oregonians are most curious about, while also providing a full FAQ for more specialized questions. Key information points include:

* There is an effort among some state Legislators to make recreational marijuana available for purchase at medical marijuana dispensaries. Check back at www.whatslegaloregon.com to stay up to date on this and other potential changes.

• You can possess and use recreational marijuana if you are 21 and older. If you are
younger, it’s illegal.

• You can use recreational marijuana at home or on private property. Public use is illegal.

• You can possess up to eight ounces of useable marijuana in your home and up to one ounce outside the home.

• Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal. Please be responsible.

• You can grow up to four plants per residence, out of public view.

• You can share or give away recreational marijuana. You can’t sell it or buy it until
licensed retail shops open.*

• You can’t take marijuana in or out of the state. That includes Washington state.

• You can make edible products at home or receive them as gifts, but you can still only use them in private places.

Certain aspects of the law are still being determined, including details surrounding legal sale of recreational marijuana and edibles. People can stay up to date by checking back at www.whatslegaloregon.com and/or by signing up for the OLCC’s e-newsletter.