Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Portland could be opening its arms to marijuana couriers.
The City Council on Wednesday added a license for delivery-only cannabis businesses to a marijuana regulation plan up for a vote next week.
Businesses operating as "marijuana retail couriers" would not be allowed to sell from storefronts, under proposed changes to Portland's pot rules approved Wednesday by the Portland City Council. And they could receive orders only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no deliveries allowed after 9 p.m.
Like dispensaries and marijuana retailers, couriers would have to keep their headquarters at least 1,000 feet from a school -- although they could still deliver to homes that are closer. They also must follow current rules that keep pot businesses at least 1,000 feet apart.
The City Council voted unanimously on the courier change and other amendments, billed in city documents as a way "to increase the opportunity" for "microbusiness entrepreneurs" hoping to break into the marijuana market.
"It's great to see small businesses starting in the community, trying to do this the right way, and working with us trying to figure out the regulatory issues as we go along," Mayor Charlie Hales said.
The city also added three other licenses to match the licenses the Oregon Liquor Control Commission will add, one for growers who cultivate no more than 625 square feet of marijuana, another for those who grow up to 1,250 square feet and a third for "micro-wholesalers" who buy seeds or immature plants from other micro-producers for resale.
Other amendments included changing hours of operation for marijuana businesses to match the state's hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and adding a five-day grace period for medical dispensaries to transition to retailers once they obtain a state license.
Portland created its Marijuana Policy Program to manage complaints and enforce local and state laws after Oregon voters approved recreational marijuana in November 2014.
The city has had a backlog of applications over the last few months, officials said Wednesday.
The Office of Neighborhood Involvement, which manages the application process, has received 534 license applications. Of those, 28 percent came from Southeast Portland, 22 percent came from east Portland, and 13 percent came from North Portland.
About 100 licenses have been approved, but many marijuana businesses are waiting on building permits so they can move forward.
Of the 320 applications under review, 80 are waiting for the city to complete a final inspection or final application review.
About 115 business owners have requested a deadline extension, and most are waiting on building permits, Livability Programs Supervisor Theresa Marchetti said at Wednesday's hearing.
The council unanimously agreed to remove a requirement for final inspections and an approved building permit for wholesalers, retailers and dispensaries, in part to help relieve the backlog.
"There was some concern in the media about lots of businesses being found out of compliance and shut down January 1," Commissioner Amanda Fritz said. "As long as there are good faith efforts that they're in the process, that is not going to happen. We appreciate most businesses are working their way through the process"
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Delivery In Portland Up For Vote Next Week
Author: Jessica Floum
Contact: OregonLive
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: OregonLive
The City Council on Wednesday added a license for delivery-only cannabis businesses to a marijuana regulation plan up for a vote next week.
Businesses operating as "marijuana retail couriers" would not be allowed to sell from storefronts, under proposed changes to Portland's pot rules approved Wednesday by the Portland City Council. And they could receive orders only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no deliveries allowed after 9 p.m.
Like dispensaries and marijuana retailers, couriers would have to keep their headquarters at least 1,000 feet from a school -- although they could still deliver to homes that are closer. They also must follow current rules that keep pot businesses at least 1,000 feet apart.
The City Council voted unanimously on the courier change and other amendments, billed in city documents as a way "to increase the opportunity" for "microbusiness entrepreneurs" hoping to break into the marijuana market.
"It's great to see small businesses starting in the community, trying to do this the right way, and working with us trying to figure out the regulatory issues as we go along," Mayor Charlie Hales said.
The city also added three other licenses to match the licenses the Oregon Liquor Control Commission will add, one for growers who cultivate no more than 625 square feet of marijuana, another for those who grow up to 1,250 square feet and a third for "micro-wholesalers" who buy seeds or immature plants from other micro-producers for resale.
Other amendments included changing hours of operation for marijuana businesses to match the state's hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and adding a five-day grace period for medical dispensaries to transition to retailers once they obtain a state license.
Portland created its Marijuana Policy Program to manage complaints and enforce local and state laws after Oregon voters approved recreational marijuana in November 2014.
The city has had a backlog of applications over the last few months, officials said Wednesday.
The Office of Neighborhood Involvement, which manages the application process, has received 534 license applications. Of those, 28 percent came from Southeast Portland, 22 percent came from east Portland, and 13 percent came from North Portland.
About 100 licenses have been approved, but many marijuana businesses are waiting on building permits so they can move forward.
Of the 320 applications under review, 80 are waiting for the city to complete a final inspection or final application review.
About 115 business owners have requested a deadline extension, and most are waiting on building permits, Livability Programs Supervisor Theresa Marchetti said at Wednesday's hearing.
The council unanimously agreed to remove a requirement for final inspections and an approved building permit for wholesalers, retailers and dispensaries, in part to help relieve the backlog.
"There was some concern in the media about lots of businesses being found out of compliance and shut down January 1," Commissioner Amanda Fritz said. "As long as there are good faith efforts that they're in the process, that is not going to happen. We appreciate most businesses are working their way through the process"
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Delivery In Portland Up For Vote Next Week
Author: Jessica Floum
Contact: OregonLive
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: OregonLive
