County Commission Votes to Temporarily Ban Marijuana Business in Unincorporated Deschutes County

Contact: Matt Martin
541-330-4620

Release Date: 12/21/2015

The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to temporarily ban marijuana business in unincorporated Deschutes County.

Commissioners expressed a desire to have more time to evaluate the impact of proposed regulations for businesses that grow, process and sell marijuana.

The temporary ban on marijuana business will not impact existing, legal, medical marijuana production or marijuana businesses within city limits.

In January, Commissioners will discuss the formation of a committee of citizen volunteers. Additional information about the committee is forthcoming.

Commissioners have requested a check-in with staff and the committee in 90 days. At that time, they will determine next steps in the process.

The growing of medical marijuana has been legal in Oregon since voters passed the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act in 1998. In Nov. 2014, Oregon voters approved Measure 91, which legalized the possession and use of marijuana for adult (21+) recreational use. 

State law gives the County the authority to adopt reasonable regulations for marijuana-related businesses in unincorporated Deschutes County.  The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) starts accepting applications for marijuana-related business licenses in Jan. 2016. However, due to the temporary ban, no licenses will be issued in rural Deschutes County.