Salem, OR: Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek has signed legislation (HB 4121) into law placing an indefinite hold on licenses for those seeking to enter the state’s commercial marijuana marketplace.
The law prohibits the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Commission from accepting any new cannabis production or retail license applications until there are significant increases in population growth.
Representatives from the state’s cannabis industry lobbied for the change, arguing that Oregon’s marijuana market is already oversaturated with nearly 3,000 licensed cannabis businesses.
Oregon voters approved a citizens’ initiated ballot measure in 2014 legalizing the adult-use marijuana market. Retail cannabis sales began the following year.
Compared to other states, Oregon imposes comparatively few regulatory barriers for establishing state-licensed marijuana businesses.
In 2022, Oklahoma lawmakers enacted legislation barring the establishment of any new medical cannabis-related businesses. That moratorium was extended in 2023. Oklahoma has more registered medical marijuana patients per capita than any other state.
Additional information on pending legislation is available from NORML’s Take Action Center.