US: Oregon Is 3rd State to Allow Recreational Cannabis — Marijuana News

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Angel Wallace

Rapid News Network

Friday 02 Oct 2015

In southern Oregon, conditions are flawless for growing marijuana outdoors. While residents could use it, purchasing from a store hasn’t been possible. In return, the State allowed sales of marijuana in the rest of the state to begin on October 1. At present, only “dispensaries”-outlets which had formerly been exclusively committed to distribution of marijuana for medical uses-are permitted to sell marijuana, pending the release of a system for regulating outlets exclusively devoted to distributing marijuana for purely recreational use”.

A few minds might change, however, after Oregon rakes in its expected $10.7 million in revenue over the next two fiscal years.

Oregon voters approved Measure 91 last November; the legislation takes effect after it was tweaked by the Legislature over the summer. The state is still working on permitting and rules for that marketplace.

A pot shortage is also the biggest worry for those in the medical marijuana community, who fear the start of recreational sales will negatively impact medical marijuana patients. However, if you’re in Eastern Oregon, you face a long drive to score a few legal bud.

Can you fly from Seattle to Portland with marijuana now? Recreational pot sales will also be untaxed and the prices will be set by individual stores.

Bend is the only town east of the Cascades, now offering recreational marijuana products.

Store owners say they’re hopeful they can avoid the shortages and price spikes that followed the start of legal sales previous year in Washington and Colorado, the only other states where the drug can now be sold for recreational use.

In Washington, more than 200 recreational stores are licensed, and more than 180 report sales. However, it’ll be sold tax-free until January 4.

How much can I legally buy starting Thursday?

Private citizens over the age of 21 in Washington and Colorado are allowed to possess 1 ounce of marajuana, which is roughly equivalent to 60 average size joints.

How much will marijuana cost?

Adults older than 21 can now buy up to a quarter-ounce (seven grams) of the green stuff per day without needing a doctor’s recommendation.

What about edibles? Can I buy those?

Recreational marijuana sales is different. Because no markup’s allowed, dispensaries have to make their profits elsewhere, often from the sale of marijuana-related products. When the first OLCC-regulated recreational marijuana facilities begin opening next year, they’ll fall under OLCC regulations and taxes. Pettinger noted the OLCC is still in the process of hiring and building out its compliance and regulation staffs. Only one ruled out selling recreational marijuana. After that, they will incur a hefty 25 percent sales tax.

Those other 2 states have been bringing in sizable amounts of taxes on their pot sales. The state will impose a 17 percent tax on all retail sales, and local cities and counties can impose up to an additional 3 percent tax on purchases at retail stores.

Most of the tax revenue will go to schools.

Pettinger noted that while the tax revenues will be spread throughout the state, counties and cities that opt out of sales will not receive a share of the tax revenue.

The tax-burden is lowest in Oregon, so Fox news asked, “Is marijuana cheaper in Oregon?”

Oregon and Alaska voted to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes in 2014.

http://rapidnewsnetwork.com/oregon-is-3rd-state-to-allow-recreational-cannabis-marijuana-news/206820/

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