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The OLCC announced on May 1st its approach for addressing the implementation of recreational marijuana in Oregon. The OLCC appointed a Rules Advisory Committee (“RAC”) made up of 15 members. The RAC will meet once a month starting June 19, and represents the marijuana industry, local government, law enforcement and the general public.

In addition to the RAC, the OLCC appointed subcommittees to develop draft rules for the different areas related to the regulation of the marijuana industry: Growers, Processors, Extracts, Retail, Advertising/Labeling, Licensing. The subcommittees began meeting the week of June 1. The Growers subcommittee met for the first time on June 1st. The goal of the meeting was to establish an agenda for the next couple of months, addressing issues like: production limits, tracking, licensing, waste disposal, use of natural resources, security and transportation. According to the reaction of the subcommittee, it seems like the main points of discussion will be the establishment of a tracking system, the level of tax to apply, as well as the impact on natural resources (water law, electricity, land use).

The OLCC staff also plan on hosting meetings with other agencies to discuss the impact of recreational marijuana on different areas: land use, banking, energy, and other issues.
Continue Reading Implementation of Measure 91: the OLCC is Picking up the Pace

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is undertaking rulemaking that would impose new regulations on the service of alcohol at food carts and other outdoor areas throughout the state. The rules would distinguish between outdoor areas not abutting a licensed building (e.g., areas associated with food carts and food cart pods) and outdoor areas connected to a brick-and-mortar licensed premise.

Overall, the proposed rules would establish a clear licensing pathway for food cart applicants. OAR 845-005-0329 outlines the basis upon which the OLCC may refuse to issue a license, and OAR 845-006-0309 establishes the requirements a licensee must meet for alcohol service. While the proposed rules are fairly straightforward, some may criticize the rules for being too restrictive.

For example:

  • The outdoor area must qualify for a Number III minor posting. This posting requires that the designated drinking area not constitute a “drinking environment and drinking alcohol will never predominate.” This would be a more stringent minor posting than that required for outdoor areas adjacent to a physical licensed building. Food carts would not be allowed to have outdoor beer garden areas or environments similar to a winery tasting room. A solution to this issue would be to revise the proposed rule to allow a Number IV minor posting (“Minors Allowed During These Hours ___ to ___”) or a Number V minor posting (“Minors Allowed Only with Their Parent, Spouse or Domestic Partner Age 21 or over”) when authorized by the OLCC on a case-by-case basis.

Continue Reading OLCC Proposes New Rules for Food Carts

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (“OLCC”) is initiating rulemaking that would amend licensing requirements for outdoor areas and distilled liquor tasting.

Outdoor Areas
The OLCC has proposed two new rules to address the licensing qualifications and operating requirements for “exclusively outdoor areas,” or areas that do not abut a licensed building. The rule would apply…

What a great way to spend a Wednesday morning.  I joined Portland’s thought leaders on all-thing-alcohol this morning at St. Jack restaurant, where we broadcasted live on OPB.  A lively discussion of Oregon’s alcohol industry was lead by On Air Host Emily Harris.  Reasons behind Oregon’s alcohol industry boom, the State’s history with alcohol…

Following actions by the FDA, the TTB, as well as several states, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) recently announced a temporary ban on the sale of caffeinated alcoholic beverages within the state’s borders. The action, taken during a November 20th special meeting on the issue, will last until May 18, 2011, during which time…

By Guest Blogger, Summer Associate

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission and the Oregon Department of Justice recently opined that, under a post-prohibition-era law, homebrewed beer and homemade wine must be consumed at home. This opinion, reportedly in response to a question regarding the permissibility of public competitions involving homebrewed beer, is in effect a reversal…

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The Stoel Rives Alcohol Beverage Blog provides wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, distributors and importers with articles and information across a broad spectrum of state and federal alcohol beverage law. The authors work on alcohol beverage related projects from our bases in California, Oregon and Washington, throughout the Western United States and beyond.