What You Need To Know About Buying Pot in Oregon
Thursday, October 01, 2015
As Oregon’s newest industry kicks off sales, experts told GoLocal that there are still many things that those new to cannabis need to learn.
SEE SLIDES BELOW: See the 20 Things You Need to Know About Buying Pot in Oregon
“I think Oregonians have a great opportunity to realize we are making history as a state with this,” Leah Maurer, Co-Chair of Portland’s Women Grow Chapter, told GoLocal. “We have an opportunity to be a model for this country about how recreational legalization should be done. It falls on everyone- legislators, growers, sellers and customers - to know as much possible about this and make sure we do it well.”
Restrictions Still in Place
Unfortunately for those who planned on partaking in the newly legal substance, some restrictions still apply. Employers still can—and will— conduct drug tests for marijuana as a condition of hiring and a condition of employment. Many of the state’s largest employers, including Fred Meyer, Intel, Bi-Mart and Dairy Queen, will still test for marijuana, despite it’s new legal status.
“It comes down to a conflict between state and federal law,” Colin Love-Geiger, a labor and employment defense lawyer with Tonkon and Torp, told GoLocal. “Marijuana is still a Schedule I illegal substance under federal law, so employers still have a right to fire someone if they test positive for marijuana. If there is a conflict, federal law always wins out, so, until federal law changes, employers will have that right.”
Companies that employ heavy equipment operators are required to buy insurance and typically require drug testing. Even companies that employ workers who operate machinery while simultaneously employing workers who do not will test, as the receive a lower monthly deductible if they test all of their employees across the board.
There will also be restrictions on how much, and what type, of marijuana, can be purchased. Dispensaries are only allowed to sell a quarter of an ounce per customer, and only one purchase may be made, according to Mark Pettinger, spokesman for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Residents can only grow four plants at a time, and they must be obscured from public view
Dispensaries will also be restricted to the sale of flowers and dried plant material, rather than more potent concentrate oils or edible products, which are only available to medical patients.
Sgt. Peter Simpson, with the Portland Bureau of Police, told GoLocal that patrol officers will still be on the lookout for those who smoke in public places, such as parks, streets or outside bars or restaurants, as even after the passage of Measure 91, consumption of marijuana is still only allowed in a private home or other private property.
Simpson also said the Bureau would also be on the lookout for those who drive under the influence of marijuana. He said the Bureau would conduct field sobriety tests and arrest any driver that “appears to be impaired.”
“We’re concerned about people who drive after consuming marijuana,” Simpson said, pointing out that mixing multiple drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana, can strengthen their impairing effects. “We’re asking that people be smart and careful about the inebriation that comes from consuming marijuana.”
Tips for New Customers
Maurer said that those who are thinking of purchasing cannabis for the first time should feel free to ask questions and try many different options. She said that the staff at many dispensaries are prepared for new customers, and will be ready and willing to answer any questions you may have.
“The first time you walk into a dispensary, ask lots of questions,” Maurer said. “Talk to staff, talk to budtenders, and fight out as much as you can about it.”
Robert Reyes, a manager at Kind Heart Collective, a medical dispensary in Portland that will be selling to recreational customers, agreed with Maurer. Reyes told GoLocal that customers should familiarize themselves with the different types of cannabis, and ask dispensary employees to explain their various effects.
“There is a real difference between the different end products of marijuana. It’s not just all going to give you the same high,” Reyes said. “There are different strains, some that will make you feel motivated, some that will relax you, some that will do a little bit of both, so it’s important to find out the difference and find out what is best for you.”
Maurer also said it is important to store your marijuana safely. She advised storing it like alcohol or prescription drugs, far away from the reaching arms of children.
“Keep it on the top shelf, where they can’t reach it,” Maurer said. “If your kids are older, talk to them about marijuana like you would alcohol. Explain why people use it and why it can be dangerous and why they should not use it until they are old enough.”
Related Slideshow: 20 Things You Need to Know About Buying Pot in Oregon
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