Oregon’s governor has signed into law a bill that allows marijuana companies to sample their products during trade shows, and removes restrictions from wholesale cannabis transactions at these events.
About one week after Sens. Floyd Prozanski, Jr., and James Manning, Jr., both Democrats, advanced this measure in the state legislature. Tina Kotek gave final approval Wednesday.
This law allows licensed cannabis producers, processors and wholesalers to give “trade samples” to other cannabis businesses at temporary and trade events that are registered with Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. However, it will not allow general public access to samples, unless they’re allowed workers in the cannabis industry.
The measure also removes a restriction that currently mandates a 24-hour waiting period after a wholesaler transaction is made with another company before the product could be provided, with the goal of minimizing costs associated with transporting cannabis after the event ends.
The state will allow producers to provide samples and seeds of unmatured plants for cannabis workers that are allowed, as long as they adhere to the legal limits on possession.
Tucker Holland of Entourage Cannabis of Oregon told KOIN after the Senate passed the bill that it could give the industry a better way to promote transparency and quality by removing the burdensome regulations during trade shows.
“Overly burdensome regulations—particularly those that no longer serve the original purpose—can unintentionally fuel the very issues they were meant to prevent,” he said. The illicit market fills the gaps created by legitimate operators being hamstrung due to outdated regulations.
In a similar vein, Colorado lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Jared Polis (D) earlier this month that would make a series of changes to the state’s marijuana laws, including revisions to help more people participate the industry and reduce certain regulatory restrictions on cannabis businesses.
A policy change is also proposed, allowing workers employed by retailers with occupational licenses to receive up 20 cannabis samples per month. At the moment, only managers of cannabis retail shops can receive samples from marijuana manufacturers and cultivators.
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Meanwhile in Oregon, a Portland resident recently filed a second prospective ballot measure aimed at legalizing social consumption areas for marijuana, introducing it little more than a month after submitting a similar proposal that would legalize cannabis cafes.
Separately, an American federal court judge blocked recently a law that was approved by voters and required marijuana licensees sign labor agreements with employees.
Hawaii’s Governor Signs Bill Extending Medical Marijuana Provider Rights
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