Lawmakers May Let Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Sell Recreational Weed, Starting July 1

The Oregon Legislature is mulling a plan to let medical-marijuana dispensaries temporarily sell pot to all adults as soon as recreational weed becomes legal July 1.

The idea by Sen. Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) could solve the problem of where to buy recreational weed while the Oregon Liquor Control Commission licenses recreational growers and stores.

OLCC chairman Rob Patridge has said the licensing process probably won't be finished until late 2016—more than a year after recreational weed is legal to possess.

Ferrioli's proposal was first reported this afternoon by the EO Media Group/Pamplin Media Group Capital Bureau.

Sen. Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), who chairs the House-Senate committee on legal weed, tells WW she likes Ferrioli's plan.

"I don't know that we can pull this off," Burdick says, "but I think the concept is a good one. It would allow people to get marijuana without going through other channels that might be illegal."

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.