On Monday, March 3, 2014 at 8:30 a.m., the Oregon Health Authority will begin accepting applications from individuals who wish to register and operate a medical marijuana dispensary in Oregon.
The rules implementing Oregon’s medical marijuana dispensary law are intended to ensure safe access to medical marijuana for patients registered through the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program while keeping our communities safe.The rules were developed through a public process that included more than 17 hours of public meetings and testimony before a rules advisory committee that included members representing law enforcement, medical marijuana advocacy and legislators. There will be additional opportunities to comment on the final draft of the temporary rules before they are made permanent.
Key provisions in the rules
No person convicted of the manufacture or delivery of a Schedule I or II substance in the past five years will be allowed to register a dispensary. Persons with more than one conviction are permanently banned from operating dispensaries
No dispensary may open or operate within 1,000 feet of a primary or secondary school
No dispensary may open or operate within 1,000 feet of another dispensary. Applications for competing locations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis
Dispensaries must be located only in areas zoned commercial, industrial or agriculture. See note below regarding other restrictions from local government entities
All medical marijuana distributed through dispensaries must be tested for pesticides, mold and mildew, and may not be distributed if contaminants are found
There must be a strong security system in place
All product brought into and dispensed from the facility must be accounted for
The Oregon Health Authority will visit and inspect each dispensary and audit its financial records at least once a year
