Latest news with #SB558
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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. 'Completely ghosted us': PNW customers detail financial losses, unfinished jobs tied to local contractor 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. Oregon man imprisoned for killing goat with 'no remorse' 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.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
An obvious amendment to Republican anti-DEI bills
Sen. Sophia Chitlik seeks clarity on SB 558 - legislation eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed. (Photo: Screengrab from NCGA video) As part of their ongoing effort to manipulate and capitalize on irrational white voter fears, state Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation this session that purports to attack quote 'DEI' in public education. Under the bill, state law would spell out a long list of supposedly 'divisive concepts' that would be banned from public schools. For example, the bill says it will be illegal to teach that a quote 'meritocracy' — whatever that is — is inherently 'racist' or 'sexist' — two words that are also not defined. Of course, the purpose of this impossibly vague language is no mystery — it's to discourage educators from discussions of America's grim past on matters of race that might make white students uncomfortable. And that would be a tragic mistake. A simple amendment would help. Lawmakers should add a word to the bill to make clear that teaching divisive concepts is banned, but only if they are untrue. The bottom line: Discussion of hard truths is an essential part of education that our kids can handle. Would that GOP lawmakers could as well. For NC Newsline, I'm Rob Schofield.
