Part of Oregon’s Measure 91, passed in November and legally titled Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act, goes into effect today. The new law allows men and women, 21 and older, to grow limited amounts of marijuana on their property and to possess a limited amount for personal, recreational use. Specifically, an Oregonian can possess up to eight ounces of marijuana and grow up to four marijuana plants in their homes. Each adult can possess up to an ounce in public, but one may not use marijuana in public. §6 of Measure 91 lists all the guidelines that one would need to know about what is now legally permissible personal and household use under the new law.
The personal use and cultivation of marijuana will not be overseen by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). That agency will be tasked with overseeing the commercial use of marijuana, including licensing, taxing, and regulating. The review and acceptance of licenses will begin in January. Actual sale and purchasing of commercially grown marijuana will also begin sometime in 2016.
The fact that recreational use and private in-home ownership will now be legal has sparked some media interest. Particularly, the question has been asked: How can interested Oregonians begin their recreational use or home growing when there is no legal sale? That’s a good question with respect to the lawful supply. The underground market is fairly easy to find.
