Oregon Senate OKs move toward interstate cannabis commerce

The Oregon Senate took a step Wednesday to set the stage for future interstate cannabis commerce.

Senate Bill 582 – which passed the Senate on a 19-9 vote – authorizes the governor to make agreements related to coordinating and enforcing licensed marijuana-related businesses with other states, in addition to other interstate commerce matters.

The bill only takes effect if federal law regarding cannabis is amended to allow for interstate marijuana commerce or the United States Department of Justice issues an opinion or memorandum stating it will allow or tolerate interstate marijuana transfer.

“Oregon is a trailblazer, and this is another way that we can lead the nation regarding this relatively new legal industry,” said Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), who carried the bill to passage on the Senate floor. “Several states have legalized cannabis and so this puts Oregon in a great position to enter into agreements with other states, if and when the day comes that interstate cannabis trade is allowed by federal law. With the passage of Senate Bill 582, Oregon will be ahead of the game in this burgeoning industry.”

Under the bill, Oregon could allow producers, wholesalers and researchers authorized by agreements entered into by the governor to transport and deliver marijuana across state lines. Interstate agreements will be required to include enforceable health, safety and labeling standards, as well as a system to regulate and track the product. Items delivered to Oregon must be tested, packaged and labeled in compliance with current state law.

“We currently have a situation where nearly seven years’ worth of cannabis has been overproduced in this state,” Prozanski said. “It grows abundantly in Oregon. This will allow us, someday, to offload excess supply legally into areas where it’s legal but is harder to grow. It also will turn our state’s burgeoning cannabis industry into a much bigger player nationwide through the ability to export our cannabis products in the future.”

Senate Bill 582 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.