Latest news with #OregonLiquorandCannabisCommission
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon updates Bottle Bill following safety concerns at retailers
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Following criticism of Oregon's Bottle Bill, officials have approved changes to the long-standing program. Gov. Tina Kotek signed on Tuesday, allowing Oregon retailers to temporarily refuse bottle drops outside of the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The measure also calls on state leaders to establish Crater Lake superintendent steps down amid staffing cuts under Trump admin Residents currently pay a 10-cent deposit for the beverage containers they purchase at retailers statewide. The Oregon Beverage Container Act was first passed in 1971 in an attempt to mitigate litter by giving people refunds for the beverages they return, according to the . But more recently, community members have claimed the program attracts who want to quickly obtain cash to purchase drugs. Store owners have additionally alleged it poses a threat to staff members who work later hours. Just last spring, Southwest 11th Avenue and Jefferson Street's Plaid Pantry and a nearby Safeway paused their bottle drop programs. Plaid Pantry President and CEO Jonathan Polonsky that employees would often quit due to safety concerns at the store that is open 24-7. Now that SB 992 has taken effect, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is working to ensure residents can still access their deposits at participating retailers. The agency has also expanded the program to include wine and cider bottles with an ABV of more than 8.5%, along with sake and mead starting on July 1. Oregon board rejects another attempt to block Portland's first Live Nation venue 'For over 50 years, Oregon's Bottle Bill has helped keep our state green and litter-free,' Chair Dennis Doherty said during Thursday's commission meeting. 'The OLCC is proud of the role we play in making the Bottle Bill work. With today's significant changes, we will ensure that our pioneering system will continue to serve communities across our state for years to come.' The temporary rules established by the new legislation are set to expire on Dec. 2. Regulators plan to hear the public's feedback on the changes before permanently enforcing them later this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OLCC removes labor agreement rule for cannabis businesses after Measure 119 ruling
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is no longer requiring cannabis businesses to enter labor peace agreements in order to obtain or renew a cannabis license, the agency announced Thursday. The decision comes after a federal judge ruled Oregon Ballot Measure 119 unconstitutional earlier in May. 'Earlier this month, a federal judge issued a ruling barring the enforcement of Ballot Measure 119. Given this ruling and in consultation with the Oregon Department of Justice, the OLCC will no longer require labor peace agreements as part of cannabis license applications and license renewals,' the OLCC said in a press release Thursday. Portland has the worst housing crisis outlook, LendingTree finds Measure 119, also known as the United for Cannabis Workers Act, was passed by Oregon voters in November 2024 and took effect in December of that year. The measure required cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral in their communications to employees from labor organizations about bargaining rights. After Measure 119 passed, the OLCC adopted the labor peace agreement requirement in order to comply with the ballot measure, which required cannabis processors, retailers, and labs to provide labor peace agreements with a bona fide labor organization in order to obtain or renew cannabis licenses. The measure was challenged in a lawsuit filed in February by two Portland cannabis businesses, arguing the measure violates the First Amendment and will harm cannabis companies. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now United States District Judge Michael H. Simon in Portland agreed with the cannabis companies, ruling Measure 119 is 'preempted by the (National Labor Relations Act)' and violates the First Amendment. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization. Therefore, Measure 119 violates Plaintiffs' First Amendment rights to free speech,' Judge Simon wrote, in part. In response to Judge Simon's ruling, the plaintiff's attorneys with Fisher Phillips LLP told KOIN 6, 'We are pleased with Judge Simon's ruling. Judge Simon reached the right conclusion on this important case of first impression regarding National Labor Relations Act preemption and Constitutional First Amendment speech protections as related to laws requiring businesses to enter into labor peace agreements.' Armed man who threatened Papa Murphy's employees was pepper-sprayed multiple times, police say The plaintiffs' attorneys continued, 'This case is poised to have far-reaching impacts, as many states are considering imposing similar requirements not only on cannabis licensees, but also in other sectors, and this decision helps maintain the proper balance between labor and management and allows cannabis employees to decide for themselves whether to organize without undue influence.' Governor Kotek's office added that the governor — who was named among defendants in the lawsuit — 'respects the court's ruling.' Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UFCW 555, a labor organization that has been a strong proponent of Measure 119, told KOIN 6 News 'We now have conflicting federal rulings, with a judge in Oregon putting Measure 119 on hold while a California judge has upheld a similar law. One of these rulings is destined to be overturned on appeal. Our strong suspicion is that Judge Simon's opinion, which flaunts Supreme Court precedent, will be the one reversed.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal judge rules Oregon ballot measure for cannabis industry unions is unconstitutional
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 119 — requiring cannabis businesses to enter labor peace agreements with employees — last fall, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the law is unconstitutional. Measure 119, also known as the United for Cannabis Workers Act, was passed by Oregon voters in November 2024 and took effect in December of that year. The measure requires cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral in their communications to employees from labor organizations about bargaining rights. Before Measure 119 took effect, employees already had the right to collectively bargain, however, the measure required cannabis businesses to have an agreement with a labor organization that at minimum requires the business to remain neutral. If cannabis businesses violated the rule, the measure would allow the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to impose fines or licensing and certification penalties. However, that law is unconstitutional, according to U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon. Footwear company Keen moves manufacturing facility out of Portland The by two Portland cannabis businesses, including recreational marijuana processor Bubble's Hash and Ascend Dispensary. The companies argued the measure is unconstitutional, violates the First Amendment, and will harm cannabis businesses. The suit was filed against Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission Chair Dennis Doherty and OLCC Executive Director Craig Prins. The businesses argued that Measure 119 violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution — which, in part, bans states from passing laws that impair obligations in contracts. They also argued the measure conflicts with the National Labor Relations Act. 'Completely ghosted us': PNW customers detail financial losses, unfinished jobs tied to local contractor The lawsuit took issue with a provision in Measure 119 mandating cannabis licensees to contract with a 'bona fide labor organization' under a 'labor peace agreement.' According to the plaintiffs, there are only two 'bona fide labor organizations' that will enter into a labor peace agreement with licensees — including Teamsters and UFCW 555. 'Measure 119 fails to provide any dispute resolution process if the bona fide labor organization and the licensees cannot agree to the terms of the LPA,' the lawsuit claimed. 'The licensees, including plaintiffs, are left without choice or bargaining power in order to renew their licenses.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now In Tuesday's ruling, , United States District Judge Michael H. Simon agreed, with the ruling stating Measure 119 is 'preempted by the NLRA' and violates the First Amendment. 'Measure 119 is not limited to restricting only threatening, coercive, false, or misleading speech, but instead prohibits all speech by employers that is not 'neutral' toward unionization. Therefore, Measure 119 violates Plaintiffs' First Amendment rights to free speech,' Judge Simon wrote, in part. In response to Judge Simon's ruling, the plaintiff's attorneys with Fisher Phillips LLP told KOIN 6, 'We are pleased with Judge Simon's ruling. Judge Simon reached the right conclusion on this important case of first impression regarding National Labor Relations Act preemption and Constitutional First Amendment speech protections as related to laws requiring businesses to enter into labor peace agreements.' Portland city buildings to shine bright again The plaintiffs' attorneys continued, 'This case is poised to have far-reaching impacts, as many states are considering imposing similar requirements not only on cannabis licensees, but also in other sectors, and this decision helps maintain the proper balance between labor and management and allows cannabis employees to decide for themselves whether to organize without undue influence.' Attorney General Rayfield's office declined to comment on the ruling and deferred to the OLCC. In a statement to KOIN 6 News, OLCC Executive Director Craig Prins explained, 'Over the next few days, we plan to confer with our colleagues at the (Department of Justice) to better understand the ruling and what it means for the regulation of cannabis in the state.' Governor Kotek's office added that the governor 'respects the court's ruling.' Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UFCW 555, a labor organization that has been a strong proponent of Measure 119, told KOIN 6 News on Tuesday, 'We now have conflicting federal rulings, with a judge in Oregon putting Measure 119 on hold while a California judge has upheld a similar law. One of these rulings is destined to be overturned on appeal. Our strong suspicion is that Judge Simon's opinion, which flaunts Supreme Court precedent, will be the one reversed.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon legislature may make changes to bottle bill
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon's historic bottle bill to recycle cans and bottles could be about to change over growing concerns about safety at the return locations, including convenience stores. The Oregon legislature is working on making some changes to the law that would limit hours stores would have to accept bottles and cans for recycling. Grocery retailers, both large and small, want to the state to do something about the foot traffic from the homeless and drug dealing. Oregon's landmark bottle redemption law may change due to concerns over drugs and homelessness Store owners, especially those at all-night convenience stores, said their staffs feel threatened at times. Along with limiting hours, lawmakers are looking at allowing alternative redemption centers, perhaps mobile ones, to accept the recyclables. There is currently no major redemption center in downtown Portland due to concerns about parking, staffing and what kind of activity it might attract. But that could possibly mean even big stores with an alternative drop site could limit or refuse hand-counted returns. This Act allows the OLCC to approve a new kind of redemption center and makes other changes to Oregon's Bottle Bill. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.6). [Digest: This Act requires the OLCC to study ways to modernize Oregon's Bottle Bill. (Flesch Readability Score: 63.4).] [Requires the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to study the modernization of the beverage container redemption and recycling law. Directs the commission to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to the environment by September 15, 2026.] Authorizes the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission to approve one or more alternative access redemption centers. Directs the commission to classify two existing convenience zones as a single low-impact convenience zone if certain criteria are met. Directs the commission to review convenience zones every three years. Provides that beverage container dealers must accept returns of empty beverage containers during specified hours and may refuse to accept returns during all other hours. Provides that wineries may refuse to accept returns of empty beverage containers not sold by the winery. Modifies provisions related to siting of full-service redemption centers. Provides that a dealer that establishes a dealer redemption center within a city with a population of 500,000 or greater may refuse to accept returns of empty beverage containers. Declares an emergency, effective on Pantry President Jonathan Polonsky said another big issue is enforcement. He said the state needs to do a better job enforcing the bottle bill so more stores would have to take in bottles and cans rather than turning people away. at a Plaid Pantry and Safeway in downtown Portland to try and cut down on criminal activity. The pause was lifted May 1, 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission director hired to clean up bourbon-hoarding scandal to retire
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission oversees the state's liquor stores. (Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission/Flickr) The state administrator Gov. Tina Kotek picked to stabilize the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission in the wake of a bourbon-hoarding scandal announced his retirement Thursday. Craig Prins will leave the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission effective July 1, he said during the commission's Thursday meeting. Kotek urged commissioners to hire Prins, formerly the state prison system's internal watchdog, in February 2023 to correct the commission's course after she requested the resignation of its former director, one of six high-level employees implicated in diverting rare bottles of bourbon for personal use. Prins described his decision to retire as difficult but right in a statement to commissioners. 'We have reached major milestones in modernizing the OLCC's operations and rebuilding the public's confidence in our mission,' he said. 'Having had the honor to work with this organization's dedicated public servants, I have complete faith in their ability to build on this progress.' Commissioners appointed current deputy director Tara Wasiak to replace Prins beginning July 1. Before joining OLCC, Wasiak was the interim director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation. Kotek press secretary Roxy Mayer said the governor wished Prins the best and knows Wasiak will follow his example of leading the commission with integrity and accountability. 'Executive Director Craig Prins jumped into the leadership role at OLCC at a time of tumult for the commission,' Mayer said in an email. 'He delivered exactly what Oregon needed: stability, consistency and a dedication to excellent customer service.' Before Prins took over, the commission was reeling from revelations that six top-level employees, including then-director Steve Marks, had used their positions to obtain rare, expensive bottles of bourbon for their own use. Oregon is one of 17 'control states,' where state agencies regulate where and how liquor can be sold. Wine and beer are available in grocery stores, but hard liquor is kept in state warehouses and distributed to local liquor stores. The state also sets liquor prices. And opportunities to buy rare bottles of liquor, such as Pappy Van Winkle, are supposed to be distributed in quarterly lotteries. Instead, investigators found that OLCC employees abused their positions by ordering rare bottles be sent to specific stores where they or their representatives could purchase them. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission settled cases with two former OLCC employees in April, fining them each $500. The ethics commission last week rejected a proposed $500 settlement with Marks, saying he should face a higher penalty as the former director. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
