Oregon Voters Approve Protections for Cannabis Worker Unions
Fri / Nov 8th
Oregon voted to secure cannabis workers’ right to join unions with the state’s Measure 119 drawing 55% voter support on Tuesday.
Oregon Cannabis News
Oregon helped pioneer medical cannabis in the U.S. and was among the first states to legalize adult-use cannabis. Scroll down for news about the state’s latest cannabis policy and business happenings and to browse our Q&A and podcast interviews featuring Oregon-based cannabis business owners.
Portland Dispensary Employee Turns Himself In After Deadly Shooting
Fri / Oct 11th
A dispensary employee was charged with murder after a deadly shooting during an armed robbery in North Portland, highlighting the ongoing risks cannabis industry workers face due to primarily cash-only retail operations.
Campaign Seeks to Decriminalize Natural Psychedelics In Portland, Oregon
Mon / Oct 7th
Activists in Portland, Oregon are planning to pursue a ballot initiative in 2026 to decriminalize natural psychedelics including psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca after lawmakers this year voted to undo the state’s voter-approved drug decriminalization policy.
Oregon State University Wins $5.5M Federal Hemp Grant
Mon / Sep 23rd
The Global Hemp Innovation Center at Oregon State University recently received $5.5 million from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to fund research into hemp-based foods, beverages, and other industrial uses for the plant.
Oregon Voters to Consider Ballot Proposal Allowing Cannabis Industry Workers to Unionize
Wed / Aug 7th
Oregon voters will decide this November whether cannabis industry workers should be allowed to unionize after lawmakers failed to adopt the reforms during the legislative session.
Portland Pickles Baseball Team Is First to Offer THC Beverages at Games
Wed / Jun 19th
The Portland Pickles, an Oregon-based baseball team in the West Coast League, is set to become the first pro sports team in the U.S. to sell THC-infused beverages at their games.
Cannabis Company Wins Therapeutic Psilocybin License In Oregon
Fri / May 10th
The publicly traded and internationally licensed cannabis company Kaya Holdings Inc. announced this week that it has received a license to administer therapeutic psilocybin products in Oregon.
Oregon Gov. Signs Bill to Recriminalize Drug Possession
Wed / Apr 3rd
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has signed a bill to recriminalize the possession of certain drugs in the state, undoing key provisions of the state’s voter-approved decriminalization bill that took effect three years ago.
Oregon Lawmakers Pass Bill to Cap Cannabis Licenses
Thu / Mar 14th
The Oregon Legislature recently passed a bill to cap the number of cannabis licenses in response to market oversaturation, setting limits based on the state’s population and introducing measures for inter-agency cooperation and enforcement in the cannabis and industrial hemp sectors.
Oregon State Global Hemp Innovation Centers Nets $10M Grant to Partner with Tribes on Hemp Economic Development
Tue / Mar 12th
Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center received a $10 million USDA grant to collaborate with 13 Native American tribes on hemp economic development, aiming to create sustainable supply chains and enhance the hemp industry’s role in tribal and rural American economies.
Oregon Lawmakers Pass Bill to Re-Criminalize Drugs
Mon / Mar 4th
Oregon is poised to end its landmark drug decriminalization initiative as lawmakers pass a bill to reintroduce criminal penalties for certain drug possessions, sparking debate over the measure’s impact on treatment access and the justice system.
Oregon Cannabis Sales Continued to Decline In 2023
Wed / Feb 28th
Oregon’s legal cannabis market experienced a downturn for the second consecutive year in 2023, with sales dropping to $955 million from a peak of $1.2 billion in 2021, amid challenges of oversupply and stagnant retail prices.
Idaho Bill Would Ban Advertisements for Out-of-State Cannabis
Fri / Feb 9th
Idaho legislators are considering a bill to ban advertising for illegal products, inspired by billboards promoting out-of-state cannabis, aiming to impose misdemeanor charges for such advertisements.
Oregon Cannabis Businesses Call for Permanent License Caps
Fri / Jan 26th
The Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon is urging lawmakers to extend a moratorium on new cannabis company licenses, initially set to expire in April, to address the oversupply and market competition issues in Oregon’s cannabis industry.
Oregon Lawmakers Consider Reversing Drug Decriminalization
Fri / Jan 19th
Oregon lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties have recently begun exploring different ways to roll back drug decriminalization in the state, amid criticism from advocacy groups.
Oregon Rep. Blumenauer to Retire from Congress
Thu / Nov 2nd
Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), a 27-year veteran of Congress and founding member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, announced this week that he will not seek reelection.
Oregon Cannabis Organizations Merge Into New Coalition Representing 500+ Members
Tue / Oct 24th
The Oregon Cannabis Association and the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon are merging into a new organization called the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon, which represents more than 500 members.
Utah Startup Applies to Sell Cannabis DUI Insurance in Oregon
Tue / Oct 17th
A Utah-based start-up recently applied to sell insurance in Oregon that would cover the cost of defending a DUI for driving under the influence of cannabis.
Oregon Appeals Court Orders Stay of Fungus Testing Rule
Mon / Aug 28th
Following a lawsuit filed by multiple cannabis industry trade groups, the Oregon Court of Appeals has — for now — suspended the state’s cannabis testing requirements for the fungus Aspergillus.
Oregon Cannabis Growers Sue Over State’s Mold Testing Requirements
Mon / Jul 31st
The Cannabis Industry Association of Oregon and several of the state’s organic cannabis cultivators are suing to undo the Oregon Health Authority’s new Aspergillus mold testing requirements for cannabis products.
Cannabis Company Owes Oregon $27M in Back Taxes; Largest Sum in State
Mon / Jul 24th
Medford, Oregon-based American Patriot Brands owes the state $27 million in back taxes, more than any other company in the state.
Nimble Distro Announced as Official Distributor of Magic Number’s Cannabis-Infused Beverages
Mon / Jul 10th PRESS RELEASE
Portland, Oregon – July 10, 2023 – Nimble Distro, a leading wholesale distribution company in the Oregon cannabis industry, proudly… Read More
Feds to Investigate Former Oregon Secretary of State’s Relationship with Cannabis Company Owners
Mon / Jun 12th
Federal investigators are looking into the relationship between Oregon’s former Secretary of State, Shemia Fagan, and the owners of cannabis company La Mota, who hired Fagan as a private consultant while her office was conducting an audit of the cannabis industry.
Oregon Lawmakers Vote to Crack Down on Landowners Who Allow Illegal Cannabis Grows
Mon / Jun 12th
Oregon lawmakers approved a bill to crack down on landowners who allow illegal cannabis cultivation on their properties after police seized more than 100 tons of illegal cannabis across the state last year.