As of 2017, there are 23 states and the District of Columbia that have legalized medical marijuana. In Oregon, the number of Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) patients is roughly 72,800. Despite the recent popularity uptick of medical marijuana over the last few years, recreational marijuana, although gaining momentum of its own, has yet to become as widely accepted as its medicinal counterpart.
That is changing, however, as marijuana dispensaries are making it much easier to purchase weed anonymously.
“I think it’s appropriate under the circumstances,” said Oregon Governor Kate Brown.
According to The Washington Times, Brown recently signed Senate Bill 863 into legislation, which passed the House of Representatives by a 53-5 vote.
Although Oregon is one of the only states across the country that allows adults to legally purchase and use recreational marijuana, since the new administration came into power last November there have been a lot more uncertainties.
The new legislation will not allow dispensaries to keep or transfer any personal information; including names, birthdays, addresses, and other important government-issued information. In the past, these marijuana shops would store this personal information and even transfer it to other businesses.
“It [the bill] provides some level of consumer protection,” said Mark Pettinger, spokesman for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
The Register-Guard reports that some people are skeptical about the bill, believing that the state has built its own database of marijuana customers.
“There’s never been a requirement by our agency to collect that data,” Pettinger added.
People will now be able to visit recreational marijuana dispensaries in Portland Oregon and purchase pot anonymously, which could, as Eugene OF Inventory Manager Alex Traylor says, create a problem for sellers.
Currently, Oregon state law limits how much marijuana a dispensary can sell to an individual customer.
“How is that tracked when there is no customer profile,” Traylor added. “It’s not.”
Only time will tell what’s actually going to happen to the marijuana market. If you want to learn more about the recreational marijuana industry or take a look at some quality cannabis products, contact Greeley Gallery today!
