In 1998 the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act was established, which allowed the cultivation, possession, and use of marijuana by doctor recommendation for patients with specific medical conditions. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is administered by the Oregon Department of Health Services (DHS) and is responsible for processing all medical cannabis card applications.
We go into detail about the Medical Marijuana laws in Oregon and show you if and how to qualify for medical marijuana in Oregon.
The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program
The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is only available to Oregon residents with certain medical conditions. Medical cannabis products are distributed by State approved dispensaries only. If you believe your medical conditions qualifies for a Medical Marijuana card, discuss your symptoms and condition with your doctor.
Once the doctor has approved you to receive medical cannabis, you must register with the OMMP Patient Registry. This registration is mandatory to ensure protection under Oregon’s medical cannabis law. There is also an annual $200.00 fee that must be paid to the state of Oregon to participate in the OMMP.
What conditions quality for the Medical Marijuana Program in Oregon?
Patients in Oregon diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions are allowed legal protection under the Oregon’s medical marijuana law:
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Agitation due to Alzheimer’s
- PTSD
- Severe pain
- Severe Nausea
- Seizure disorders, including epilepsy
- Persistent muscle spams, including multiple sclerosis
- Cachexia
Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?
Yes, other conditions are subject to approval by the Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Resources.
Where can you find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Oregon?
Oregon law requires that the physician is licensed in Oregon. There are currently over 1,600 Oregon-licensed physicians with current Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patients. With such a high volume of licensed physicians in Oregon, it’ll likely be easy to find a doctor close to where you are located. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program requires all patients to have an established doctor/patient relationship, and in some cases, this may take several appointments as a pattern of doctor visits need to be apparent.
Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Oregon located?
There are legal cannabis dispensaries located all over Oregon. The majority are located in Portland. Dispensaries may not be in an area zoned as residential. Dispensaries may also not be located within 1,000 feet of a school and another registered dispensary.
There is a lis of dispensaries open in the state.
What does my medical card get me at an Oregon dispensary?
In a one day period, a legal dispensary in Oregon may not sell to a patient or caregiver more than:
- 24 ounces of usable marijuana
- 16 ounces of a medical cannabinoid is solid form
- 16 ounces of cannabinoid concentrate
- 72 ounces of a medical cannabinoid in liquid form
- 5 grams of cannabinoid extract
- 4 immature marijuana plants
- 50 seeds
Registered medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell limited amounts of recreational marijuana to adults age 21 and older.
Where can I smoke?
Onsite consumption of marijuana is prohibited. The only exception to the rule is for an employee who is a current and valid Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patient who must medicate during work hours.
Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?
Yes. It is important to update your file if you change your caregive or grower site information so they will be protected should law enforcement request verification. To ensure caregivers and the grow site are protected, you must submit a change form for the caregiver, grower or grow site changes immediately.
The future of the Medical Marijuana Program in Oregon:
Oregon is an active state when it come to the legalization of marijuana. The rules and regulations are constantly being revised and updated. You can subscribe to receive email updates related to medical cannabis rulemaking, rule changes and other updates regarding the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
