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Business Global / Local Industry Policy

Oregon Cannabis Export Bill on its Way to Becoming Law

oregon cannabis export
Written by Alexandra Hicks

In an unprecedented move, the Oregon will likely be the first state to allow the export of cannabis products across state lines.

After passing the senate with 19-9 vote – 2 republicans and 17 democrats voted in favor – Bill 582 is on its way to the House where it’s expected to easily pass. The Senate vote was said to be the largest obstacle this bill would face, meaning it will likely become law fairly soon.

This bill will allow for the export cannabis products to sell in other states, putting Oregon cultivators and business owners in the position to seamlessly move into out-of-state markets once federal probation ends. Oregon is currently dealing with an oversupply of cannabis, and this would certainly help resolve this issue. 

“There’s still a lot of work to do, but [last week’s] Senate vote is a major step forward for the future of Oregon’s cannabis industry – and in securing our position as the country’s leading cannabis exporter” said Casey Houlihan, Executive Director of the Oregon Retailers of Cannabis Association (ORCA). “Oregon is already one of the leading exporters of cannabis in the nation, and it has been for decades. We want those sales to be legal and regulated and taxed. The solution is fairly simple: We need a framework for exporting that excess supply into other states and countries as soon as possible.”

“There’s not just a surplus of cannabis here – we have a massive wealth of knowledge, talent, experience, and skill that results in our state producing the highest quality cannabis in the world,” Houlihan continued. Our climate is ideal for large-scale cannabis cultivation. Allowing Oregon producers and brands to access outside markets will bring innumerable jobs to some of the communities in Oregon that need them the most” Houlihan said.

The ORCA has been collaborating with Oregon lawmakers to establish cannabis export guidelines since 2015. A similar bill made it made it to the Senate in 2017 but did not receive a full vote. Check back with us for updates on this developing story.

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About the author

Alexandra Hicks

Managing editor at Cannadelics and U.S based journalist, helping spread the word about the many benefits of using cannabis and psychedelics.