20-05-2025
Oregon marijuana licensees could offer product samples at industry events under new law
PORTLAND, Ore. () — A bill that would allow Oregon weed brands to offer 'trade samples' is headed to Gov. Tina Kotek's desk.
Senate Bill 558, first approved by the Oregon Senate on Apr. 17, passed the Oregon House with a 40-10 vote on Monday. If Kotek signs the measure, marijuana-licensed businesses could give other licensees samples of their products at trade shows permitted by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The legislation would expand the current threshold for how many samples industry workers can receive as well.
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During a public hearing for the bill earlier this month, Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon's Niki Terzieff said the measure would help the marijuana companies 'parody' practices seen in other industries. She noted it could also boost efficiency for businesses that create revenue for drug treatment services.
'Many of the rules in the books today were written when the legal market was new, untested and we had very little knowledge,' Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon Executive Director Jesse Bontecou added. 'They reflect early fears and not realities of a now-mature, highly competent industry that employs thousands and contributes hundreds of millions in economic activity.'
SB 558 would additionally allow wholesale transactions at trade shows. According to Bontecou, the current law requires originating licensees to hold products for 24 hours before they can be given to the purchasing licensee — increasing transportation costs for businesses outside of the Portland area where many of these events take place.
Stakeholders have emphasized that the proposed bill permits product samples for those within the industry, not to the general public. It would also ban licensees from offering samples that exceed Oregon's legal limit, while such as one gram of usable marijuana per harvest lot per strain each month.
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The legislation further could improve transparency and quality control within the local marijuana market, Entourage Cannabis co-founder Tucker Holland said.
'This ensures retail staff can have personal experience and comprehensive knowledge of our offerings because the retail staff serve as the primary educators for consumers,' Holland added. 'Overly burdensome regulations — particularly those that no longer serve the original purpose — can unintentionally fuel the very issues they were meant to prevent. When legitimate operators are hamstrung by outdated rules it creates gaps that the illicit market is all too eager to fill.'
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