Jackson County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Jackson County?

Yes. In Jackson County, licensed growers may cultivate up to six (6) mature cannabis plants, while residents may grow up to four (4) marijuana plants. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act paved the way for the legalization of marijuana use and possession for patients in 1998. While the Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act allowed recreational use and possession of marijuana for residents in the state in 2014.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) oversees and regulates the use of medical marijuana in the state, which includes information on patients, growers, processors, and dispensaries. Patients designate OMMP growers to produce medical cannabis for them, and it may be themselves or another person as their grower. OMMP growers must be 21 years old and must be cultivating marijuana plants for eight (8) patients only at a time. Growers must abide by the grow site address zoning and the OMMP plant limits.

Persons over the age of 21 are allowed to have homegrown marijuana plants intended for non-commercial purposes. At any given time, they can possess up to eight (8) ounces of usable marijuana. Homemade marijuana may be produced outdoors but must be away from public view. The law prohibits persons from making, processing, keeping, and storing homemade marijuana extracts.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Jackson County?

Yes. Medical marijuana processing is subject to the rules and regulations imposed by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). Processors may apply for five (5) types of endorsements which determine what type of medical marijuana they can process:

• Cannabinoid edible processor

• Cannabinoid extract processor

• Cannabinoid concentrate processor

• Cannabinoid topical processor

• Cannabinoid tincture, capsule, suppository, or transdermal patch processor

The registration process for each type of endorsement differs, but there are also general requirements that manufacturing applicants must meet. For instance, a commercial kitchen license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is required for processing marijuana edibles or concentrates and extracts used in edibles. Extract processors must not be in a residential zone area. They may check with their local government about the prohibited uses and location restrictions in the area where they intend to process cannabis products. The unlicensed processing of marijuana extracts is illegal under HB 4014 of the 2016 Legislative Regular Session.

The OLCC provides the rules on and approves the labels and packaging done by marijuana processors. Cannabis products go through Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) marijuana testing requirements that apply to the retail and medical markets.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Jackson County?

Yes. OLCC-licensed retail stores may sell marijuana to recreational users and OMMP patients. Consumers must be 21 years or older to be able to purchase cannabis products from dispensaries. According to the Adult and Medical Use of Cannabis Act, recreational users cannot possess the following:

• More than two ounces of usable marijuana in a public place;

• More than eight ounces of usable marijuana;

• More than 16 ounces of cannabinoid products in cannabinoid concentrates or solid form;

• More than 72 ounces of cannabinoid products in liquid form; and

• More than one ounce of cannabinoid extracts.

Marijuana edibles are allowed in the state. Effective April 1, 2022, edibles can have up to 100 mg THC in the package and 10 mg THC per service. Previously, the allowed amounts were 50 mg THC in the container and 5 mg THC per serving.

The marijuana retailer must not be located in an area zoned exclusively for residential use. The store must also not be located within 1,000 feet of a private, public, or parochial elementary and secondary school. Some cities and counties in Oregon disallow the establishment of medical and recreational cannabis retailers in their area. Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, and Shady Cove of Jackson County were among the cities listed in the record.

The location restrictions mentioned above also apply to medical marijuana dispensaries. These facilities can receive marijuana, immature cannabis plants, or cannabis products and transfer them to a patient or a patient’s caregiver, provided that they have an OMMP card or a receipt letter issued by the OMMP. In a day and at any one time, a dispensary cannot transfer:

• More than 24 ounces of usable marijuana;

• More than 16 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in solid form;

• More than 72 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in liquid form;

• More than 16 ounces of a cannabinoid concentrate, whether sold alone or contained in an inhalant delivery system;

• More than Five grams of a cannabinoid extract, whether sold alone or included in an inhalant delivery system;

• More than Four immature marijuana plants; and

• More than 50 seeds.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Jackson County?

Yes. Both recreational and medical marijuana may be delivered to consumers, patients, and caregivers. OLCC-licensed dispensaries may deliver to OMMP cardholders, while retailers may deliver to 21-year-old adults. No person other than the retailer’s representatives may engage in the delivery of marijuana in the state. The delivery agent must be registered Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) as an employee authorized by the retailer to transport cannabis products to its buyer.

If the adjacent city or county has adopted an ordinance allowing interjurisdictional deliveries, a retailer may deliver marijuana products to consumers outside their jurisdiction.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Jackson County

Individuals can obtain a medical marijuana card provided they are diagnosed with the qualifying conditions and recommended to use medical marijuana by attending providers. The medical conditions which would qualify the patient are:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Cachexia

• Cancer

• Chronic pain

• Glaucoma

• HIV or AIDS

• Nausea

• Persistent muscle spasms

• Post-traumatic stress

• Seizures

• Other medical conditions are subject to approval

Patients may apply online or by mail. They are required to submit the following requirements:

1. OMMP Application Form and Instructions

2. Attending Provider's Statement

3. Grow Site Consent Form

4. Copies of current valid photo ID

5. Cardholder Fees

6. Optional: Minor Declaration Form

Visit the New Patients Page to learn more.

Once the OMMP approves the patient’s application and issues the medical marijuana card, the program may also provide the designated caregiver with a registry ID to be presented when purchasing, possessing, and delivering the cannabis items for the patient.

Oregon Medical Marijuana Program

Patients / Cardholders

Phone: 971-673-1234. Staff is available from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

E-mail: ommp.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Jackson County?

According to the market trend data from Metrc, Oregon's Cannabis Tracking System, Jackson County generated more than $300,000 for selling recreational and medical marijuana in October 2016, a year after legalizing adult-use marijuana. As of January 2023, the sales increased to over $3 million.

Retailers authorized by the OLCC must impose a 17% retail sales tax on all recreational marijuana sold. Local governments are allowed to require retailers to charge an additional 3% locality tax on the sale of these items. The Oregon Department of Revenue collects local and state marijuana taxes on behalf of the cities and counties. Medford, Jackson County’s county seat, enacted a local tax of 3% on the sale of recreational cannabis.

Medical marijuana sales are not subject to sales tax.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Jackson County

The FBI Crime Data Explorer provides data on the arrests for driving under the influence (DUI), illegal possession of marijuana, and illegal sale/manufacturing of marijuana in Jackson County. Since July 2015, lawmakers have legalized the use and possession of marijuana in the State of Oregon.

In 2014, Jackson County’s Sheriff’s Office reported around 140 DUI arrests. By 2015, this figure increased to over 150 arrests. The number of arrests continued to increase annually, whereas, in 2021, there were over 240 DUI arrests.

As for the arrests on illegal possession of marijuana, there were 100 arrests tallied by the Sheriff’s Office in 2014. By 2015, the number of apprehensions went down to more than half (57). In 2021, only five arrests were made by the authorities for illegal marijuana possession.

On the other hand, eight arrests were reported by the Sheriff’s Office for the illegal sale/manufacturing of marijuana in 2014. The following year, only one arrest was recorded for the same unlawful act. No apprehension was made for illegal sale/manufacturing in 2021.