Bills & Laws

Compassionate Oregon, a steadfast advocate in Oregon’s legislature.

Our dedicated efforts have led to significant victories, including playing a crucial role in the development of statutes and rules for the medical and adult-use programs.

Compassionate Oregon’s efforts have led to the addition of PTSD to the list of debilitating conditions and reducing the annual card fee to just $20 for those veterans in need. Compassionate Oregon has also successfully advocated for the rights of OMMP patients, ensuring they can designate an assisted living facility as an additional caregiver, and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Oregon Cannabis Commission.

As we look ahead to the 2025 legislative session, Compassionate Oregon remains committed to advancing how our state approaches the compassionate use of cannabis in healthcare. We are actively working on legislation that will allow for the use of cannabis in hospice care and are dedicated to increasing protections for those enrolled in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.

Together, we will continue to make strides in eliminating discrimination against cannabis patients in their healthcare, employment, and housing. It is Compassionate Oregon’s goal that all Oregonians have the support and access they need and in championing the rights of Oregonians who find cannabis an essential part of their healthcare and daily lives.

VIDEOS

Bills & Laws Achievements

• Effective July 1, 2013 Oregonians will be allowed to possess up to four ounces of marijuana before being charged with felony possession. (Senate Bill 40 Sponsored by Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association with misdemeanor amendment by Compassionate Oregon).

• Effective July 1, 2013 Oregonians will no longer be subject to driver’s license suspension for a conviction for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. (Senate Bill 82 Pre-session filed with amendment Sponsored by Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association & Compassionate Oregon).

• Effective January 1, 2014, Oregonians suffering from PTSD will be allowed to qualify for a medical marijuana card. (Senate Bill 281 Pre-session filed by Senator Brian Boquist at the request of Todd Dalotto and Compassionate Oregon).

• Effective March 1, 2014, Oregonians will be allowed to apply for a medical marijuana facilities certification. (House Bill 3460 Introduced by Representatives Peter Buckley and Lew Frederick and Senators Floyd Prozanski and Jackie Dingfelder).

• Effective March 1, 2014, Cities and Counties have the right to place a one year ban on medical marijuana facilities.  All packaging for usable marijuana must be child-resistant and unattractive to children.(SB 1531 at the request of the Association of Oregon Counties and the League of Oregon Cities.

Links you may find helpful!

• Oregon Legislative Page: Find Bills, Audio/Video, Archives http://www.oregonlegislature.gov
• Oregon Medical Marijuana Program Handbook http://public.health.oregon.gov
• Patients Out of Time http://www.medicalcannabis.com
• Drug War Facts. The place to find the facts you need http://www.drugwarfacts.org

Veterans

• http://www.veteransformedicalmarijuana.org

Ogden Memo, October 19, 2009

• http://www.justice.gov

Cole Memos, June 2011, Aug. 2013, Feb. 2014

• June 29, 2011 memo from the DOJ, “Guidance Regarding the Ogden Memo in Jurisdictions Seeking to Authorize Marijuana for Medical Use.”  http://www.justice.gov
• The second Cole Memo, August 29, 2013, “Guidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement.”  http://www.justice.gov
• The third Cole Memo, Feb. 14, 2014, “Guidance Regarding Marijuana Related Financial Crimes.”  http://www.dfi.wa.gov
• The memo from the US Dept. of Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network And Bank Secrecy Act, Feb. 14, 2014, “Issuing guidance to clarify Bank Secrecy Act expectations for financial institutions seeking to provide services to marijuana-related business.”  http://www.fincen.gov