The state of Oregon has very progressive medical marijuana laws, and relatively, the existing marijuana possession laws are favorable to those caught with amounts of marijuana typically associated with personal use. The state also has active hemp laws and an active hemp industry. Annually, the state of Oregon still arrests around 6,500 people on marijuana-related charges, according to the Department of Justice. Moreover, the DEA states that Oregon produces over 55,000 pounds of marijuana a year, with a street value of up to $442 million dollars.
Medical Marijuana Users
Oregon passed a medical marijuana law in 1998, and the state legislature has made more than four amendments to the original law, as the state officials learned more about medicinal marijuana. The latest of these marijuana law amendments, which took effect on January 1, 2006, raised the quantity of cannabis that authorized patients may possess from seven plants (with no more than three mature) and three ounces of cannabis to six mature cannabis plants, 18 immature seedlings, and 24 ounces of usable cannabis. Authorized patients must be registered on the state’s confidential registry list and have a legitimate medical condition as verified by a physician to receive medicinal marijuana.
Non-Medical Users:
Non-medical users in Oregon who are in possession of small amounts of marijuana face only fines for the offense. Oregon also has conditional release and alternative sentencing programs in place for first time offenders and those caught in possession of amounts of marijuana still considered to be in the realm of personal use, which according to the state of Oregon, is less than 110 grams.
Penalties for Marijuana Use or Possession in Oregon:
|
Possession of less than 1 ounce |
Misdemeanor |
The penalty is a fine of $500-$1,000 |
|
Possession of 1 ounce to 110 grams |
Class B felony |
Penalties include up to 10 years in jail and a $100,000 fine |
|
Possession of more than 110 grams |
Felony |
Penalties are dependent upon prior record |
Penalties for Growing, Selling, and Trafficking Marijuana:
Cultivation, Manufacture and Sale:
|
Less than 5 grams |
Misdemeanor |
The penalty is a fine of $500-$1,000 |
|
5 grams to 1 ounce |
Class A Misdemeanor |
The penalties include 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine |
|
Any Amount |
Class B felony |
The penalties include up to 10 yeas in jail and a $100,000 fine |
|
Within 1,000 feet of a school or to minors 3 years or more younger than seller |
Felony |
Penalties include up to 20 years in jail and a $300,000 fine |
|
Any manufacturing |
Felony |
Penalties include up to 20 years in jail and a $300,000 fine |
Marijuana Paraphernalia:
|
Sale of paraphernalia |
Misdemeanor |
Penalties include up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine |
|
Almost all convictions result in a suspended driver’s license for the convicted for 6 months |
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana (DUID)
Oregon has no DUID or driving under the influence of marijuana laws.
Legal Help with a Marijuana Offense
Although Oregon has some liberal medicinal marijuana laws, the threat of stiff penalties still exist for those facing marijuana-related charges involving possession of over 28 grams, trafficking, and sale. For individuals arrested for possession of more than one ounce of marijuana, seeking a marijuana attorney is imperative, as you are facing felony charges and potentially ten years incarceration. Through adequate plea bargaining, a marijuana lawyer can significantly reduce your sentence, as well as potentially suspend incarceration periods in lieu of successful completion of alternative sentencing programs.
