Is Public Consumption of Marijuana on the Horizon?

In two years, Oregon’s legalized recreational marijuana industry has gone from non-existent to a thriving industry, with over $60 million a year in total sales and over 400 licensed retailers. Despite the growing popularity of legalized recreational marijuana, no states have provided for the public consumption of marijuana. Oregon is considering changing that with SB 307. This measure would permit the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the state’s regulatory body for cannabis sales, to issue permits for temporary events and for “cannabis lounges”. These permits could be issued if a county or city agrees to allow such permits in their jurisdiction.

The measure faces opposition from the Oregon Nurses Association, the Coalition of Local Health Officials, the Multnomah County Health Department, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners and the Oregon Health Authority. However, the measure also has some strong backers including the mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler, and Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly as well as a plethora of industry advocacy groups. The main arguments against the measure are that second hand smoke from marijuana consumption would be dangerous to workers at cannabis lounges and to the public. In 2015, Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act was amended to include marijuana smoke, forcing several small clubs for the consumption of cannabis to close.On May 16, 2017, an amendment to SB 307 was introduced for the purpose of bringing the measure into compliance with Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act. The Oregon legislature will weigh the potential benefits of becoming the first state to allow legal and regulated spaces open to the public for the consumption of cannabis against the public health risks associated with second hand smoke.

Posted in Cannabis Industry, Oregon

Tagged as cannabis lounges, Chloe Eudaly, Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, Coalition of Local Health Officials, legalized recreational marijuana, Multnomah County Health Department, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Legislature, Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Oregon Nurses Association, Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act, Portland City Commissioner, public consumption of cannabis, SB 307, Ted Wheeler