Marijuana has had a long history in Oregon, ever since the Pilgrims traveled across the state with hemp-covered wagons. According to Oregon marijuana laws, growing the herb is legal in the State ever since Measure 91 was passed in 2014. Oregon medical marijuana growing laws are some of the most progressive and eco-friendly laws in the country.
Farmers plant and harvest thousands of acres of weed annually. If you live in Oregon and want to grow marijuana, whether for personal medical use or commercially, it is important to be well-versed in these laws. Follow along as we take a closer look at Oregon marijuana growing laws.
Current Oregon Marijuana Growing Laws
After a few decades of turbulence as the nation turned against marijuana use, Oregon became among the first states to allow the use of marijuana in 1998. The law, popularly known as Measure 67, allowed physicians to prescribe marijuana. This gave growers leeway to experiment with the crop, creating a lot of popular strains that we love today.
In 2015, Measure 91 came into effect. This is a law that allows residents who are 21 years of age or older to grow, possess, and use certain amounts of marijuana. Here is a quick breakdown of the laws:
- Individuals 21 or over (adults) can possess up to one ounce of weed outside the home.
- Adults can give as a gift as up to one ounce of weed to other adults. They can also give up to 16 ounces of solid marijuana products and up to 72 ounces of liquid marijuana products to other adults without being compensated.
- Adults can have up to 8 ounces of marijuana around their homes.
Additionally, Oregon recreational marijuana growing laws, mandate the following rules for the purchasing of marijuana and related products:
- Adults can purchase, from licensed marijuana dispensaries, up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use.
- Up to 32 ounces of marijuana per month from a licensed OMMP caregiver.
- Up to 16 ounces of solid marijuana products.
- Up to 72 ounces of liquid marijuana extracts.
Oregon Laws for Growing Marijuana for Personal Use
Measure 91 sets specific rules for growing marijuana for personal use. According to Oregon marijuana laws, growing marijuana can be done both indoors and outdoors. This is very convenient for growers since they can take advantage of the climate to grow the many strains that do well outdoors in Oregon.
If you are interested in purchasing seeds or plants to grow marijuana, Oregon laws for growing marijuana for personal use allow for the following:
- The purchase of up to 4 young weed plants
- Purchasing up to 10 seeds for growing marijuana.
The above Oregon recreational marijuana growing laws mean that you can only grow 4 plants at any one time.
Oregon Medical Marijuana Growing Laws
Medical marijuana is classified as having higher THC levels compared to recreational use cannabis. Individuals have to be registered as patients in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) to be eligible for a medical marijuana prescription. A registered patient can purchase up to 100mg of THC and there is no limit for how many medical edibles they can purchase.
For medical purposes, Oregon medical marijuana growing laws mandate that growers can plant 6 cannabis plants at one time if they are licensed. This still falls under the 10-seed per purchase mandate of the law.
Oregon Marijuana Laws Growing Penalties
Just like with any other law, there are penalties for breaking Oregon marijuana growing laws. These laws cover growing, possession, and distribution of marijuana and related products. Let us review some of the penalties for breaking these laws.
Growing
Growing up to 4 plants in or around your home is not a crime and does not draw a penalty in Oregon.
However, growing between 5 to 8 plants around your home is classified as a misdemeanor. This attracts a prison sentence of up to 6 months or a fine of up to $2,500. Growing more than 8 plants anywhere without a license is classified as a felony and attracts a fine of about $125,000 or a 5-year prison sentence.
Additionally, according to Oregon marijuana laws, growing within 1,000 feet of a school is classified as a felony unless you are licensed or growing in your home. This attracts a fine of up to $375,000 or up to 20 years in prison.
Possession
As discussed above, you are allowed to have up to 8 ounces of homegrown marijuana at hand. Possessing 1 or 2 pounds is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2,500 or 6 months in jail. Having more than 2 pounds attracts a fine of up to $6,250 or 1 year in prison.
The laws for marijuana possession in public are more strict compared to those governing private, home possession. Having more than 4 ounces is a misdemeanor with the same penalties as possessing up to 2 pounds in private. Public possession of more than 4 ounces at a time is a misdemeanor that attracts the same penalties as possessing more than 2 pounds in private.
Distribution
You can freely give as a gift up to 1 ounce of your homegrown marijuana to fellow enthusiasts without incurring a penalty. However, giving as a gift more than 1 ounce of marijuana is a violation that attracts up to $2,000 as fine. A marijuana gift of more than 16 ounces is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to 1 year in jail or $6,25o as a fine.
You are not allowed to give marijuana or its extracts to a minor. Doing so is a felony that can land you in jail for 5 years or cost you $125,000 in fines. Giving marijuana as a gift within 1,000 feet of a school is also a felony that can land you in jail for 20 years or cost you $375,000 in fines.
Oregon laws for growing marijuana for personal use might feel restrictive. However, adhering to them will ensure that you enjoy the fruits of your labor with a friend or two.
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Oregon Marijuana Laws Growing Etiquette
Oregon recreational marijuana growing laws give you a lot of leeways to experiment with growing and using marijuana for fun. However, not everyone around you will be comfortable with this. It is important to be courteous about your growing and use of this herb.
These are a few tips that will make your growing and using more palatable to your neighbors:
- Be discreet. Unless your landlord is an outspoken enthusiast of weed, it is prudent to not announce to the world that you have a little farm going. Ensure that your lease does not mention growing cannabis as an evictable offense. Even if it does not, growing indoors will give you the space to experiment freely while keeping things under wraps.
- Keep away from minors. While home growers are exempted from the 1,000 feet from a school law, distributing to minors is still a felony. Growing indoors will ensure that kids are not likely to play around in and accidentally ingest your stash.
- Do not go overboard. If you grow indoors or in your own backyard, you might be tempted to go over the allotted limit. Resist the urge if you want to continue enjoying your home-grown marijuana.
Conclusion
According to Oregon marijuana laws, growing cannabis is permissible and you get quite some leeway on where and how many plants you can grow. As the laws state, you are not allowed to purchase more than 10 seeds at a time. At ILGM, we have tailored our seed packs to adhere to these laws.
We have tons of strains in our seed bank, and each of our packages contains around 10 seeds. This way you have enough seeds to plant for multiple growing seasons. Head on over to the site to see the indoor and outdoor strains so you can grow your marijuana plants in Oregon.