17 September 2016
Here’s the press release in full. Sent out Sept 16th
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OLCC Expands Options for Medical Dispensaries Transitioning to Retail Allows for Sale of Existing Inventory of Marijuana Products Portland, Oregon – Today the Oregon Liquor Control Commission provided additional opportunities for medical dispensaries to become OLCC recreational marijuana retail licensees by allowing them to transfer their existing inventory and sell through that inventory until March 1, 2017. The OLCC will allow existing Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) dispensaries to transfer their inventory acquired before October 1, 2016, if they become an OLCC licensee. “This change will speed an orderly transition of the market as we move to safer testing, seed-to-sale product tracking, and revenue stability,” said Rob Patridge, Chair of the OLCC. Under the new rule OLCC retailers will have until March 1, 2017 to sell their transferred OMMP inventory, while at the same time obtaining product tested and packaged according to the state’s new regulations. Product transferred from the OMMP will be required to be recorded in the state’s Cannabis Tracking System (CTS). The products must carry a label that complies with OHA rules that reads “Does Not Meet New Testing Requirements”; products must also be packaged in a child resistant product package or child resistant “exit” bag. “We hope this provides assurance and incentive to dispensaries to move over now,” said Patridge. “We want to meet the intent of the legislature to develop this industry, while at the same time ensuring public safety. This approach allows us to do that.” Also under today’s OLCC action OMMP processors may transfer their existing product if they become an OLCC licensee. The processor’s products will have to be tested, packaged, and labeled under the OLCC’s new requirements. The OLCC’s licensing staff is working with dispensary owners and processors to help them with the licensing transition, and is already conducting on-site dispensary and processor inspections. Licensing staff is being proactive to assist licensees through its process. “Our licensing staff is being thorough in investigating licensees and creative in finding solutions,” said Steven Marks, OLCC Executive Director. “We recognize that OMMP retailers are poised to make the transition into the retail market and we took steps today to make it easier for them to do so.” The OLCC staff will be providing retail licensees with the steps necessary to transfer their product. |
