Apply for an Oregon Medical Marijuana Card

The Status of Cannabis Legalization in Oregon

Oregon’s legal cannabis history began in 1998 with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act and was the second state to legalize medical cannabis. This act modified the state law in order to allow possession and cultivation, as well as allow doctors to prescribe cannabis for their patients suffering from specific medical conditions.

On November 3 2020, the citizens of Oregon voted yes on Oregon Measure 109 and Oregon Measure 110. Measure 109, the Psilocybin Services Act, creates a program for people ages 21 and older to purchase, possess, and consume psilocybin mushrooms at a psilocybin service center and under the supervision of a psilocybin service facilitator after attending a preparation session. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has two years to establish a program for public consumption of psilocybin mushrooms, dosage guidelines, and facility licensure protocols. The measure allows cities and counties to place refendrums on their local ballots to allow or disapprove mushrooms from being grown or distributed in their area.

Oregon Measure 110, The Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative, will help cut down the number of incarcerated people for possession of Schedule 1-4 drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.  People who are caught selling these drugs will still be upheld to current distribution charges. 

Instead of receiving a class A misdemeanor for possession, people will receive a Class E citation and $100 fine for or a health assessment for possession of these drugs. The health assessment will be conducted by addiction recovery centers and includes a substance use disorder screening by a licensed drug and alcohol abuse professional. This service will be established by the OHA and would provide grants to fund the government or community-run organizations to help fund and create addiction recovery centers.

Application Process and Requirements

Individuals who wish to participate in the medical cannabis program must register with the OHA to become eligible. Patients with a qualifying medical condition and a recommendation for medical cannabis from an attending physician may apply for a medical marijuana card online.

The requirements are:

• Complete and submit an application.
• Submit a complete attending physician’s statement.
• Provide a valid state or federal ID for the patient.
• Designate a primary caregiver and grower, if applicable.
• Pay a mandatory $200 application and card fee. An optional grow site registration fee is an additional $200.

Qualifying Conditions

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• A degenerative or pervasive neurological condition
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• A medical condition or treatment for a medical condition that produces one or more of the following:
  • Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
  • Severe pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures, including those caused by epilepsy
  • Persistent muscle spasms, including those associated with multiple sclerosis

Oregon charges patients $200 for new applications and renewals, and also offers reduced fees for citizens in need of financial assistance. The charges only $60 for persons receiving state food stamps, $50 for residents who fall under the Oregon Health Plan, and $20 for persons receiving SSI benefits or members of the U.S. Military.  

Caregivers

In Oregon, the state allows caregivers to be at least 18 years of age, as opposed to some states that mandate 21 years of age. Like a patient, caregivers must also prove that they are a resident of Oregon with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. Any caregiver requested must be listed as the patient’s particular assistant to be considered. 

Patients and caregivers are allowed to possess a certain amount of medical cannabis without penalty. Based on the state law a patient or caregiver can legally have up to 24 ounces of cannabis flower, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products in solid form, 72 fluid ounces of cannabis-infused products in liquid form, 5 grams of cannabis extracts and concentrates, 50 cannabis seeds, or four immature cannabis flower plants. A patient and their caregiver may possess up to 6 mature plants, which must be grown at a registered grow site address. 

Possession and Cultivation

Any Oregon resident, caregiver or not, that cultivates or processes medical cannabis must undergo a background check. The cost of the mandatory background check is $35, and if approved a $200 payment for a cultivation license must also be paid. A grower must be at least 21 years of age, and is not allowed to cultivate cannabis for more than eight patients at a time, with six flower plants per patient. 

Oregon’s Legalized Marijuana Initiative, Measure 91 passed in November 2014. This measure legalizes recreational cannabis use for adults ages 21 and over. Oregon residents of age are allowed to possess up to 8 oz of dried flower and up to four plants for personal use on private property (private possession limits). Meanwhile, while in public, recreational users may possess up to 1 oz of dried flower and up to four immature plants. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Places to visit in Oregon

Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon touts some of America's most gorgeous terrain with Crater Lake National Park, Multnomah Falls, and Canyon Beach. Beyond the beauty of Mother Nature, Oregon's cities of Portland, Newport, and Salem. Locals and visitors enjoy the endless outdoor and indoor activities off the Oregon Coast Trail, 360 miles of terrain on the state's western edge. While some explore Oregon from the outside by scenic byway tours, kayaking, hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, snowboarding, and more, others take in the Beaver State by way of cities up and down the coast, including Bend or Astoria, the backdrop of 80's pop culture film Goonies. Next time a trip to the dispensary is scheduled, carve out some extra time to stop at any of the best places below for some afternoon adventure with friends like the classic film.

Crater Lake National Park

The deep blue waters surrounding remnants of a volcano at Crater Lake National Park are stunning. The national park has up to 30 overlook views that can be accessed by foot, bike, boat or trolley tour. There are up to 90 miles of hiking trails to be explored at Crater Lake, with backcountry camping available for an overnight rest. Scenic rim drives are also available for those who prefer to see the sites by car. Adult and adolescent ranger programs have patrons exploring all parts of the park for some fun-filled education.

Portland

Oregon’s largest city, Portland, is most famous for Washington Park, which hosts a field of Japanese flowers and the International Rose Test Garden. Mansion. After enjoying the city's outdoors, visitors and locals alike love to stop by Powell’s City of Books, the famed three-story building big as a square block. Downtown galleries including the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Portland Art Museum also make up city culture along with top-rated restaurants and bars.Crater Lake National Park sits in the Cascade Mountains of southwest Oregon, with a landscape like nowhere else. In fact, it is not a crater, but rather an ancient caldera of an extinct volcano, Mount Mazama, and its lava cliffs rise to altitudes of up to 2,000 feet around the intensely blue and extremely deep lake. Rim Drive circles the lake in a clockwise direction just a short distance from the crater's bottom. It starts at Rim Village and is accessible only by vehicle during warm weather months. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers will use the unplowed highway for winter travel in the winter. Crater Lake National Park is a popular weekend trip to Oregon, and camping is accessible on two established campgrounds, with most of the Mazama Campground sites being found. Extended hiking and backpacking opportunities can be found away from the rim in the national park, and spectacular trails such as Watchman Peak offer great views of the caldera. In the summer months, head to Cleetwood Cove to discover the lake itself, from where cruises depart for Wizard Island.

Newport

The revamped fishing village now a beach resort is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and award-winning marine world. Migrating whales pass by Newport, giving locals and visitors alike glimpses of of the giant sea creatures. Newport’s historic bayfront is also a site to see leading to the Oregon Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. Marine discovery tours in town show off local seals and sea lions along with whales. Theater, music, and art are also available in town at the Newport Performing Arts Center. Most end the day in town at the Nye Beach cafe, famous for its Pacfic Coast view and food.The majestic Multnomah Falls are a must-see attraction for those who are in Oregon's Mount Hood / Columbia Gorge area. The falls can be reached on Portland's I-84 in just 30 minutes. Legend has it that the falls once provided a very private bathing spot for a princess, but everybody can enjoy the sight of this impressive natural masterpiece today. You can see part of the 611-foot falls from the highway, but you'll need to take a five-minute walk to the mist-shrouded base of the falls to get the full picture. A quick climb from there will take you to the Benson Bridge which offers a great viewpoint.