Oregon Governor Signs Sweeping Marijuana Regulatory Bill

July 2, 2015
AggregatedNews
Oregon, Policy & Legal
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Gov. Kate Brown, making her first big decision on marijuana policy, has signed a sweeping cannabis regulation bill that also reduces penalties for several crimes still associated with the drug.

In signing House Bill 3400, the governor expressed concern about a provision in the bill making it easier for local governments to prohibit marijuana businesses if at least 55 percent of county voters had opposed the Measure 91 legalization initiative.

Brown said in a signing statement that she recognized the unusual circumstances because marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but warned legislators not to adopt this approach on other issues. Local government lobbyists have argued that local jurisdictions can’t be forced to accept businesses that violate the federal prohibition on marijuana. [Read more at the Portland Oregonian]