The Oregon Weed Thread -Grows, News and Laws and Whatever

[Robrites]

PENDLETON: An abundance of marijuana being grown

PENDLETON: An abundance of marijuana being grown

The Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area report released last week told the public what law enforcement already knew – that there is more marijuana being grown in Oregon that is needed, and some of it is making its way onto the black market. Roberts says he believes the Oregon Legislature is aware of the problem.
“I think the mere fact that they (legislators) actually created this mini-grant opportunity for small communities to battle marijuana is a validation of the fact that we didn’t do things the right way in terms of creating the regulatory statutes and/or administrative rules,” Roberts said.
Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams stated that the report shows him that the marijuana industry in Oregon is out of control. Similar studies mounted in Colorado and Washington show there is little to no surplus in those states.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission oversees the recreational marijuana program in the state, and the chief says the OLCC is at fault for not having a strong enough regulatory system in place when marijuana was legalized.
“The whole roll-out of recreational marijuana in Oregon was premature from the standpoint of actually having the regulation in place before they allowed for the industry to start licensing and selling,” he said. “It’s been hurry-up, catch-up ever since.”
Roberts stressed that his problems with the recreational marijuana industry are at the state regulatory level. He says he’s found the local marijuana stores are cooperative and committing to doing things right.


http://www.myeasternoregon.com/2018/08/08/pendleton-an-abundance-of-marijuana-being-grown/

 

[Robrites]

Sad Sign

 

[Dankwolf]

Sad Sign


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Really sad lol just goes to show where the market will be this fall.

I do it for fun money. But I feel for those that invested anything this year.market production my way are 200 a unit lol . I don't even know what to say

 

[OregonBorn]

$8 eighths? I think I will give up growing weed now. Why bother? Glad I did not get a micro grow rec license as well.

 

[OregonBorn]

The notion that Washington state does not have a surplus of weed is fake news straight from the bullshit factory. They have an oversupply problem there as well, especially from outdoor grows east of the Cascades. Its all over the web, for example:



https://mjbizdaily.com/washington-state-cannabis-supply-hits-new-low-spurs-calls-change/

The Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area report released last week told the public what law enforcement already knew – that there is more marijuana being grown in Oregon that is needed, and some of it is making its way onto the black market. Roberts says he believes the Oregon Legislature is aware of the problem.
“I think the mere fact that they (legislators) actually created this mini-grant opportunity for small communities to battle marijuana is a validation of the fact that we didn’t do things the right way in terms of creating the regulatory statutes and/or administrative rules,” Roberts said.
Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy Williams stated that the report shows him that the marijuana industry in Oregon is out of control. Similar studies mounted in Colorado and Washington show there is little to no surplus in those states.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission oversees the recreational marijuana program in the state, and the chief says the OLCC is at fault for not having a strong enough regulatory system in place when marijuana was legalized.
“The whole roll-out of recreational marijuana in Oregon was premature from the standpoint of actually having the regulation in place before they allowed for the industry to start licensing and selling,” he said. “It’s been hurry-up, catch-up ever since.”
Roberts stressed that his problems with the recreational marijuana industry are at the state regulatory level. He says he’s found the local marijuana stores are cooperative and committing to doing things right.


https://www.myeasternoregon.com/2018/08/08/pendleton-an-abundance-of-marijuana-being-grown/

 

[Aota1]

Although I could do well by offering this price tier and there’s plenty of herb to pick up and sell for $2/3-gram, I’ve so far refused to go that low. Death spiral moves. I maintain high quality standards, albeit at a lower average pound price. I think growing for so many years puts me in a great position when sourcing real high grade. It translates to the customers as well. There’s almost 60 shops in my town alone and many are doing the death spiral move. I’m confident in our style.

 

[naturalbornkilr]

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Meanwhile, Archive Portland has ounces of GMO aka garlic cookies for $400. These cheap ounces are pure garbage but I understand the need for people on welfare that want to smoke too.

 

[Mengsk]

While I am not in Oregon, if it looks too good to be true, what I mean is people going for the $400/oz stuff and the $40 are likely not the same. I don't know if the thc % is ten times 'your money's worth' but that isn't really the point.

 

[PDX Dopesmoker]

$8 eighths? I think I will give up growing weed now. Why bother? Glad I did not get a micro grow rec license as well.

I looked at getting a micro just because I could grow a lot more plants than I could otherwise that way, but the price was past being reasonable by a couple decimal points.

Although I could do well by offering this price tier and there’s plenty of herb to pick up and sell for $2/3-gram, I’ve so far refused to go that low. Death spiral moves. I maintain high quality standards, albeit at a lower average pound price. I think growing for so many years puts me in a great position when sourcing real high grade. It translates to the customers as well. There’s almost 60 shops in my town alone and many are doing the death spiral move. I’m confident in our style.

I like how that sounds. The dudes at the wine shop clean up on $30 750ml bottles even though you can buy a gallon of wine at Freddies for $10.

 

[Oregonism]

Jim belushis farm is still going for $15 a gram locally.

I used to be interested in sampling things from time to time. Too many disappointments, last thing I remember was Animal Cookies at 28% and it was hay.

Another time looked like it was used for dry sift first...

For anything other than rich newbies, most of the scene seems to be wash.

How do you even source new genetics, I know the process, but how is that even attainable?

 

[Oregonism]

Also, consolidation looks to be in the future and bigger companies may jump in for pennies on the dollar, thats my concern, the state also did away with those protections...

I have seen ridiculous cost per kg from Dutch farmers, and in areas that dont have to essentially rebreed their cultivars for environment, it could be even less.

I just keep stacking packs and try to keep paying attention.

 

[green404]

Meanwhile, Archive Portland has ounces of GMO aka garlic cookies for $400. These cheap ounces are pure garbage but I understand the need for people on welfare that want to smoke too.

In the world of legal stuff and marketing there is many factors in price much more then "good shit". Products in trendy neighborhoods cost more due to a higher cost of doing business.
Just because you see a high price doesn't mean they are selling product. Many failed business models gambled on unrealistic prices that never worked.

Almost all uneducated and inexperienced business players say their competition in low quality, garbage, etc. It is easy to do but always ineffective and worthless in the world of marketing.

The days of street corner weed dealing "good shit" are ending. Evolve or ...? flip burgers.

 

[OregonBorn]

I have found some really dank stuff for cheap around here. It ALWAYS sells out pretty fast though. The weed market in Oregon as I see it is not top tier and lawyer weed for everyone. Save for those flying or driving into town from out of state and mailing or taking packages home. Keep in mind that many jobs still require drug screening and random drug testing for Cannabis. So it would seem to me that the mid to bottom shelf is where the most sales are, save for prime locations near PDX, the state border crossings, and high end suburbs.

 

[OregonBorn]

So I can grow more clones again, right?

So I can grow more clones again, right?

I cannot keep pace with the endless OLCC/OHA changes. I got this from the OHA today.



...........................................................................


You are subscribed to Oregon Medical Marijuana Program Updates for Oregon Health Authority. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]MEDICAL MARIJUANA INFORMATION BULLETIN 2018-07[/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Subject: New Division 8 Rules Effective August 17, 2018[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) has adopted and amended permanent administrative rules that are effective August 17, 2018. Changes were made to Chapter 333 Divisions 8 due to the passage into law of SB 1544 in the 2018 legislative session.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]This bulletin only provides a summary of the rule changes. The full rules text may be found on the OMMP rules webpage at www.healthoregon.org/ommprules
[/FONT]


[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Summary of Rule Changes:[/FONT]

• [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The grow site address used in a patient application must be the physical United States Postal Service address. If there is no USPS physical address, a grow site address location may also be established by providing:[/FONT]
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]An assessor’s map number with a map showing the exact location of the grow site; [/FONT]
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The name of the city, or if outside of a city, the name of the county in which the grow site is located;[/FONT]
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The zip code for the location; and[/FONT]
    • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]One or more of the following for the location:[/FONT]
    • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Longitude and latitude coordinates;[/FONT]
    • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Township coordinates; [/FONT]
    • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Global positioning system coordinates; or[/FONT]
    • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The tax lot number.[/FONT]

• [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Effective October 1, 2018, new limits on immature marijuana plants under 24 inches in height will be in place. One mature marijuana plant to six immature plants under 24 inches ratio may be grown. Limits for immature marijuana plants 24 inches or more remains unchanged. The following number of plants, as a maximum, may be grown for one patient: [/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]6 mature marijuana plants, 1[/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]2 immature marijuana plants 24 inches or more, and[/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]36 immature marijuana plants under 24 inches (Effective October 1, 2018)[/FONT]
• [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]A PRMG may be a grower for up to eight patients at any one time. Grow sites must continue to comply with zoning restrictions for plant limits.[/FONT]
• An assignment of rights of marijuana from the patient to the grower is needed for growers at grow sites that qualify to transfer 20 lbs. to OLCC licensed processors or wholesalers.
• Updated rule references for dispensaries, processors and certain growers, as applicable, that OLCC labeling and packaging rules must be followed.
• Permanently adopted temporary rules regarding growers needing to track in the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) and needing to be designated a grow site administrator (GSA).
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Grow sites with three or more patients are required to use CTS. [/FONT]
  • [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]To qualify as a GSA, a grower must be in good standing and not been subject to any discipline with OMMP or OLCC. [/FONT]

 

[Robrites]

2018 Oregon Liquor Control Commission Customer Service Survey - Public

2018 Oregon Liquor Control Commission Customer Service Survey - Public

Welcome to the 2018 Oregon Liquor Control Commission Public Service Survey..

You are invited to participate in a short survey to help evaluate our public service over the past year. Your participation will help the Oregon Liquor Control Commission evaluate our performance and find areas for improvement. The survey should take fewer than 10 minutes to complete.


This is an informational survey only. Feedback about specific issues or processes is desired. Please do not use this survey to report suspected criminal activity or license violations. Survey results are separated from identifiers which makes following-up complaints impossible.


https://www.research.net/r/OLCC_2018_public

 

[OregonBorn]

Is the OLCC becoming Gestappo?

Is the OLCC becoming Gestappo?

I was not aware that the OLCC had authority to reduce or limit OHA rules and regulations, and I believe that they are overstepping their bounds here by reducing the amount of cannabis that OMMP cardholders can buy. But the OMMP program is all but gone anyway now I guess, and the OLCC will run ripshaw over what is left of it. Funny that they say that they will work "with" the OHA here, but obviously they are dictating policy and the OHA has no apparent control or input here. Big Brother is watching you...

Sieg Heil! <Roman salute>

August 23, 2018​

OLCC Commission Moves to Revoke Marijuana Wholesaler License

Agency Temporarily Reduces Daily Purchase Limits for OMMP Cardholders

Commission Approves Other Marijuana Licensees Stipulated Settlements ​

Portland, OR -- The Oregon Liquor Control Commission today rejected a staff recommended stipulated settlement for a licensed marijuana wholesaler charged with ten violations of OLCC marijuana rules. The Commission decided the licensee’s violations were bad enough that a license suspension or fine would not result in the licensee taking the necessary corrective action to come into compliance.

​

The OLCC Commission voted down the proposed settlement for wholesaler Black Market Distribution LLC., and directed staff to instead proceed through the state’s administrative hearing process to seek revocation of the wholesaler’s license. Black Market Distribution’s case will be referred to Oregon’s Office of Administrative Hearings. Under the staff proposed settlement Black Market Distribution could have opted to serve either a 99-day license suspension or pay a $16,335 civil penalty.

​

The Commission made it clear to OLCC staff that it wants more tools to combat licensees with more serious violations.​

“We want good compliant, law-abiding partners as OLCC marijuana licensees,” said Paul Rosenbaum, OLCC Commission Chair. “We know the cannabis industry is watching what we’re doing, and believe me, we’ve taken notice. We’re going to find a way to strengthen our action against rule breakers, using what we already have on the books, and if need be working with the legislature to tighten things up further.”

​

The Commission also reduced the daily purchase limits of usable marijuana (flower) by Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) cardholders because of suspicious purchase activity detected in the state’s Cannabis Tracking System (CTS.) OMMP cardholders will now be limited to a daily purchase of one ounce of marijuana flower, the same daily amount allowed for recreational marijuana users; the previous limit was 24 ounces.

​

Today’s action on OMMP purchase limits is designed to prevent potential diversion of usable marijuana into the secondary illegal market. The OLCC will continue to investigate the suspicious activity and will work with the Oregon Health Authority, which has authority over the OMMP, and if necessary forward investigative findings to law enforcement.

​

The temporary rule takes effect on Friday, August 24, 2018, requiring OLCC licensed marijuana retailers to comply with the new purchase limits immediately. The temporary rule expires in six months and could be modified or rescinded after the investigations are completed.

​

“The Cannabis Tracking System worked as it should enabling us to uncover this suspicious activity,” said Steven Marks, OLCC Executive Director. “When we detect possible illegal activity we need to take immediate steps to deter it from happening further, and that’s why the Commission moved quickly.”

​

In other action the Commissioners of the OLCC approved the following fines and/or marijuana license suspensions based on stipulated settlements:

​

Cannabliss & Co. in Portland,will pay a fine of $4,950 or serve a 30-day recreational marijuana retailer license suspension for one violation. ​

The violation is for the licensee or its employees, agents, or representatives failing to keep surveillance recordings for a minimum of 90 calendar days.​

Licensee is 22nd and Burn, LLC; Cameron Yee, Matthew Price, President/Secretary/Stockholder; High Street Capital Partners, LLC, Stockholder; High Street Capital Partners Mgmt., LLC, Stockholder; Kevin Murphy, Managing Member, Melvin Yellin, Managing Member, Devin Binford, Managing Member

​

Hi Cascade in Veneta; will pay a fine of $6,105 or serve a 37-day recreational marijuana retailer license suspension for two violations. ​

The first violation is for the licensee or its employees, agents, servants, or representatives failing to keep backup recordings of video surveillance recordings off-site and in real time for the surveillance room and surveillance area, for a minimum of 30 days.​

The second violation is for the licensee or licensee’s employees, agents, servants, or representatives failing to immediately notify the Commission of any equipment failure or system outage lasting 30 minutes or more.​

Licensee is Hi Cascade #3, LLC; Cascade Retail Services #2, LLC, Member; Oregon Commercial Holdings #2, LLC, Member.; JH Investment Holdings, LLC, Member; Pure Life Investment Group, LLC, Member; Jonathan Hogander, Member; Joseph Martin, Member.

​

Shadowbox Farms; will pay a fine of $9,900 or serve a 30-day recreational marijuana producer license suspension for two violations. ​

The first violation is for the licensee operating other than as the license permits in OAR 845-025-2020(1) when it transported or delivered usable marijuana or whole, non-living marijuana plants to the licensed premises of a marijuana producer. to ensure that all marijuana items on the retail premises were kept in a safe or vault.​

The second violation is for the licensee or the licensee’s employees, agents, servants or representatives failing to keep surveillance recordings for a minimum of 90 calendar days. ​

Licensee is Rogue Valley Group, LLC, Ariel Jurmann, Member, Daniel Jurmann, Member, Artemis Group, LLC., Member, Bryan Bundy, Member, Joseph Bundy, Member, Megan Bundy, Member.

​

Shadowbox Farms; will pay a fine of $12,210 or serve a 74-day recreational marijuana producer license suspension for four violations. ​

The first violation is for the licensee operating other than as the license permits in OAR 845-025-2020(1) when it received usable marijuana or whole, non-living marijuana plants from a marijuana producer. to keep surveillance recordings for a minimum of 90 calendar days.​

The second violation is for the licensee or the licensee’s employees, agents, servants or representatives failing to keep surveillance recordings for a minimum of 90 calendar days. ​

The third violation is for the licensee making physical changes to the licensed premises that materially or substantially altered the licensed premises or the usage of the licensed premises from the plans originally approved by the Commission without the Commission’s prior approval when it used two unapproved freezer Conex boxes to store marijuana items.​

The fourth violation is for the licensee failing to have a fully operational security alarm system, activated at all times when the licensed premises is closed for business, when it failed to have an alarm system that could detect unauthorized access to limited access areas (two freezer Conex boxes) where mature plants or usable marijuana was present. ​

Licensee is Rogue Valley Group, LLC, Ariel Jurmann, Member, Daniel Jurmann, Member, Artemis Group, LLC., Member, Bryan Bundy, Member, Joseph Bundy, Member, Megan Bundy, Member.

​

BZS Resources; will pay a fine of $7,260 or serve a 44-day recreational marijuana producer license suspension for three violations. ​

The first violation is for the licensee’s employees, agents, servants or representatives making physical changes to the licensed premises that materially or substantially altered the licensed premises or the usage of the licensed premises from the plans originally approved by the Commission without the Commission’s prior written approval when new structures were added to the licensed premises, including a barn, greenhouse, Conex structure, additional surveillance cameras, a safe and a gate for contractor access.

​

The second violation is for the licensee licensee’s employees, agents, servants, or representatives failing to have cameras that continuously record, 24 hours a day in all areas where mature marijuana plants, immature marijuana plants, useable marijuana, cannabinoid concentrates, extracts or products are present, when marijuana plants and marijuana items were stored in unapproved structures that failed to have camera coverage.

​

The third violation is for the licensee or licensee’s employees, agents, servants, or representatives failing to keep all usable marijuana, cut and drying mature marijuana plants, cannabinoid concentrates, extracts or products on the licensed premises of a licensee in a locked, enclosed area within the licensed premises that is secured with at a minimum, a properly installed steel door with a steel frame, and a commercial grade, non-residential door lock.​

Licensee is Paydaze, LLC, Scott Langfield, Managing Member; dba BZS Resources, Zach Gary, Managing Member.​

 

[OregonBorn]

Who is regulating the regulatory commissions?

Who is regulating the regulatory commissions?

August 24, 2018​

Correction in OLCC Marijuana Licensees

Stipulated Settlement Announcement

Portland, OR -- In a press release from the OLCC dated August 23, 2018, Cameron Yee was incorrectly listed as an owner of Cannablis & Co., an OLCC licensed retailer in Portland. The OLCC apologizes for the error. A corrected version of the press release can be found on the OLCC website.​

 

[PDX Dopesmoker]

August 24, 2018​

Correction in OLCC Marijuana Licensees

Stipulated Settlement Announcement

Portland, OR -- In a press release from the OLCC dated August 23, 2018, Cameron Yee was incorrectly listed as an owner of Cannablis & Co., an OLCC licensed retailer in Portland. The OLCC apologizes for the error. A corrected version of the press release can be found on the OLCC website.​

If that press release was repackaged as "Former speaker of the house John Boehner fined $5000 for violating Oregon marijuana laws" it could sell a bunch of advertising. Even more if it was attached to a photo like this.

 

[Robrites]

Case involving secret drug raid by feds leads to new marijuana-trafficking indictments



Eight months after agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration secretly raided a Portland storage unit and took nearly 500 pounds of marijuana, leading to an innocent bystander being held at gunpoint allegedly by the owners of the pot, new indictments have been issued in the drug-trafficking case.
Jody Tremayne Wafer, 29, and Trent Lamar Knight, the two men already accused of kidnapping at gunpoint the manager of a Public Storage warehouse whom they suspected of stealing their drug stash on Dec. 2, and their alleged getaway driver, Brittany Lesanta Kizzee, 28, have now been indicted on charges of manufacturing marijuana in Portland and distributing it to Texas and Virginia. Two additional men -- Raleigh Dragon Lau, 33, and Paul Eugene Thomas, 38, of Portland -- have also been linked to the alleged conspiracy.
In separate cases announced Wednesday, a Hood River man, Cole William Griffiths, 30, is accused of shipping pot to Florida that was cultivated and stored in homes, trailers and sheds in Hood River. Griffiths, a felon, was found with 14 firearms, according to an indictment.
Prosecutors also have moved to seize through civil forfeiture one property in Lake Oswego and two in Portland that they say were used to grow some of the marijuana sold by defendants out of state.


Oregon's U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams said the prosecutions and civil forfeiture action represent his office's aim to disrupt "overproduction and the illegal export of marijuana out-of-state.''
"These cases provide clear evidence of what I have repeatedly raised concerns over: Oregon's marijuana industry is attracting organized criminal networks looking to capitalize on the state's relaxed regulatory environment,'' Williams saids. "Dismantling criminal organizations is a key focus of our marijuana enforcement strategy.''
During the marijuana-trafficking investigations, federal agents have seized about 11,000 marijuana plants, 546 pounds of processed marijuana, more than $2.8 million in cash, 51 firearms, 26 vehicles, a yacht, trailers, and heavy equipment.
Federal authorities allege that three homes were used as marijuana grow sites – 19 Monticello Drive in Lake Oswego, a duplex at 5635/5639 S.E. 84th Avenue and a residence at 3826 S.E. 50th Ave. in Portland -- are subject to civil forfeiture. The owners of the properties, as of Wednesday, had not been charged in the federal drug-trafficking cases.
According to court documents, Lake Oswego police in June 2017 alerted the DEA of a suspected large-scale marijuana grow operation at the Monticello Drive location.


Federal drug enforcement agents, working with the FBI, Port of Portland police, and the Department of Homeland Security and Internal Revenue Service investigated and soon identified other large- scale indoor marijuana grow locations as well used to cultivate pot that was being sold out of state.
At the Portland home on Southeast 50th Avenue, for example, surveillance revealed people visiting the property late at night driving luxury vehicles, and others arriving with U-Haul trucks, according to a federal affidavit.


In the case involving the federal seizure of drugs from a public storage unit, agents had been tracking the movements of Wafer, Knight and Kizzee for months through GPS traces of their phones and cars.
Last August, investigators at Portland International Airport had found $184,740 in cash concealed in a shoebox in a passenger's checked luggage, said Assistant U.S. Attorney William Narus. Agents discovered that the money was tied to a man and a woman suspected of buying large supplies of marijuana in Oregon and smuggling the bundles back to Texas for distribution, Narus said.
Investigators identified Wafer, of Houston, as the one who coordinated buying the drugs in Oregon for transport back to Texas, records indicate. DEA agents tracked Wafer, Knight and Kizzee using undercover surveillance before, during and after they were seen going to the Public Storage warehouse on Dec. 2, where Wafer and Knight are accused of confronting the manager. They tied him up and shoved guns to his face, suspecting he had stolen their stash of marijuana kept in one of the rented units, Narus said.


It was actually DEA agents who had stolen the marijuana days earlier under what's called a "sneak and peak'' or "delayed warrant. They made their confiscation look like a burglary, and didn't tell anybody they had broken into the unit, hoping it would provoke the suspects into revealing their drug suppliers or other connections on wiretapped phones.



https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2018/08/secret_drug_raid_by_feds_case.html

 

[Aotf]

Liquor Control Commission to seek $7 million in pot taxes to track medical marijuana


JONATHAN BACH | SALEM STATESMAN JOURNAL

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will ask state lawmakers during the 2019 session for $7 million in recreational pot taxes per biennium to help track medical marijuana.

Legislators appropriated money to start the tracking program; this money would be ongoing funding. Twenty-three positions have been authorized, which includes 16 inspectors, spokesman Mark Pettinger said.

In a statement to the Statesman Journal, OLCC Executive Director Steve Marks said, "Our regulatory role over cannabis — recreational and now medical — as well as additional oversight responsibilities for hemp has greatly expanded the work of our agency.

-

"The governor's office and legislature have been supportive partners during our most recent budget cycles, and we looking forward to working with them to build in the capacity we clearly need," he said.

Taxes collected on recreational marijuana sales are divided among a small pool of recipients that includes schools and the Oregon State Police. Oregon has brought in more than $180 million in state marijuana taxes since collections began in 2016, according to state figures.


Under state law, the Oregon Department of Revenue is allowed to tap into marijuana tax revenues to pay for expenses associated with enforcement and administration of the state's marijuana laws.

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In fiscal year 2018, administrative expenses totaled about $2.14 million, said DOR spokeswoman Joy Krawczyk.

The arrangement OLCC will propose is similar to the DOR's, Pettinger confirmed.

While the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program remains part of the Oregon Health Authority, state officials have shifted limited regulatory responsibility for medical marijuana to OLCC.

Lawmakers allocated OLCC implementation money to launch the tracking program during the 2018 session. "But ongoing funding to support those positions is what we'll be asking for," Pettinger said.

As of July 1, medical growers producing marijuana for three or more patients are required to use the OLCC's Cannabis Tracking System, which is also used by recreational licensees.

Medical marijuana dispensaries must also use the system, but only six remain registered with OHA, according to state records. OMMP processors have to use it, too.

-

There's a lot involved with the tracking system, Pettinger said. For instance, OLCC officials have to inspect grow sites and ensure plants are tagged properly, as well as check tracking system data on grow site administrators' computers to make sure they match what OLCC has.

Furthermore, OLCC officials are going to visit grow sites with the OHA rulebook in mind. "We're doing double duty," Pettinger said.

Officials will be looking for items of concern that may break OHA/OMMP rules, he said. If OLCC officials suspect a problem, they have to make a note of it and file a report with OHA, which would follow up.

Email [email protected], call (503) 399-6714 or follow on Twitter @jonathanmbach