Bend marijuana shop owner embraces new state rules
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has released temporary rules that will regulate the state’s recreational marijuana businesses for much of next year.
The new temporary rules will be in effect starting Jan. 1 until June 28 of next year, when permanent rules are expected to be in place.
“I think the rules were a great first step, in issuing a draft to let the community of Oregon know what they are going to expect next year,” BloomWell owner Jeremy Kwit said Sunday.
The 78-page guidelines cover all the basics on how recreational marijuana shops must operate.
The rules limit the size of growing operations and won’t allow medical and recreational stores under one roof.
Kwit said his shop on Bend’s Northeast Division Street will follow the rules the state has put in place.
“We’re going to follow the rules as they write them and will participate to the extent that we can.” he said.
The rules also would allow shops to deliver to homes and apartments but not to hotels or commercial businesses.
Delivery drivers would only be allowed to carry $100 worth of marijuana. Drivers will also not be allowed to deliver orders to the same home more than once per day.
“Quite frankly, I was actually surprised that the OLCC is going to permit delivery, given so much of the regulations both under the Oregon Health Authority and the OLCC focuses on safety and security measures,” Kwit said.
Marijuana businesses will be required to have security measures at their shops, such as video surveillance.
If businesses are caught selling marijuana to minors, their business licenses will be suspended for 30 days.
Kwit believes officials will make some changes and modifications before the permanent rules are released in the beginning of July.
If you would like to read the OLCC temporary marijuana rules, click on the link below (an Adobe PDF document):
Here’s the complete OLCC release on Thursday’s adoption of the temporary rules:
Portland, Oregon – The Oregon Liquor Control Commission ( OLCC ) has approved temporary rules for regulating the recreational marijuana industry.
” Today marks another milestone in Oregon’s effort to establish a robust, safe, and well-regulated recreational marijuana industry,” said Rob Patridge, OLCC Chair. Commissioners approved 78 pages of temporary Oregon Administrative Rules that will provide a regulatory framework for the recreational marijuana industry covering every segment of the industry supply chain from growers to retailers. “It’s been an inclusive process, we’ve had 38 separate meetings, plus public hearings in front of the Commission,” said Patridge. The temporary rules were developed with input from more than 100 representatives from industry, law enforcement, local government and community stakeholders who served on the Rules Advisory Committee and technical subcommittees. “We had to put these temporary rules in place immediately so that we can start taking applications January 4 so that we can get retail marijuana up and running in the state,” said Patridge. The temporary rules take effect January 1 , 2016 and will remain in place until June 28 , 2016 or until the OLCC adopts permanent rules. “We’ve done a lot of groundwork and I think we have a very solid set of rules to move our process forward,” said Patridge. “We will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders and legislators as we move forward.” A copy of the adopted temporary rules can be found the OLCC website .
