LEGISLATION UPDATE FROM JONATHAN MANTON.

If you need to know what’s happening in Oregon … you can’t go wrong with a OCA update/precis

My name is Jonathan Manton. I’m blessed to be your advocate, representing the more than 200 members of the Oregon Cannabis Association
as your lobbyist.

The Oregon Legislature is now rapidly preparing for the 2022 Oregon Legislative Session. This will be a ‘Short Session’. In even numbered years, the Legislative Assembly convenes for six weeks starting in February. Full sessions convene in odd numbered years and generally last for
about six months. Short sessions are intended to address a much more limited agenda than full sessions, creating somewhat different dynamics. However, there are multiple proposals of high interest to the Oregon Cannabis Association that will be on the agenda in February. We are now working closely with numerous legislators, agency personnel, and other stakeholders to influence these legislative proposals.

We anticipate that several different bills of interest will be introduced, debated, and considered. An interim workgroup has been meeting over the last several months to examine cannabis taxation. This effort is being led by State Representative Nancy Nathanson (D- Eugene), and we are now awaiting word to see if a bill will be introduced that could propose any changes. We are also working closely with State Representative John Lively (D-Springfield) on what will be a bill sponsored by the House Committee on Economic Recovery and Prosperity that he Chairs. This bill is expected to propose a two year continuation of the producer moratorium which is set to sunset in January. It is also expected to contain language to allow producer/cultivator licenses that were surrendered in the year 2020 to become available and reserved for Social Equity Applicants during the extended two year moratorium. Other interested parties, including the OLCC, will be advocating for and against likely additional provisions in this bill. A third bill, to be Chief Sponsored by House Speaker Tina Kotek (D- Portland), will include the cannabis industry as an emerging economic sector. Speaker Kotek’s bill is expected to direct the Oregon Business Development Department to conduct a market
analysis to assess economic growth opportunities and potential regulatory changes that could be made in order to best prepare Oregon for the day when interstate commerce is authorized, as well as for the day when federal legalization happens.

We will know many more of the crucially important details and fine print of these legislative proposals in the weeks ahead. At this stage things are quite fluid, and no legislative proposals are publicly available. Once these bills are officially introduced and made public, we will have
ample opportunities to share our views and suggest changes to them directly with key legislators. We will also be appearing in public hearings before Legislative Committees, providing expert testimony both orally and in writing during the February session. The process is in early stages now, though things will be moving very quickly in the next three months.

Please stay tuned! Democracy is not a spectator sport, and each of your voices will be very helpful in shaping these and many other highly important policy matters over the next weeks and months. It is my privilege to work for you—you make Oregon a better place to live and
work. Thank you for all that you do, and please do not hesitate to contact the OCA Legislative Policy Committee, Meghan, or me directly with your thoughts, concerns, ideas, and questions.

Best wishes,
Jonathan

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