What Is the OLCC?
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is the state agency responsible for regulating both alcohol and cannabis in Oregon. Originally established in 1933 as the Oregon Liquor Control Commission following the repeal of Prohibition, the agency was renamed in August 2021 via HB 2111 to formally reflect its dual mission of regulating both liquor and cannabis.
The OLCC licenses all cannabis businesses, enforces compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 475C), conducts inspections, manages the seed-to-sale tracking system, and handles complaints from consumers and businesses. It is headquartered in Portland at 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR 97222.
Leadership
Executive Director Tara Wasiak took office on July 1, 2025, succeeding interim director Craig Prins. Wasiak inherited an agency facing multiple challenges: the ongoing oversupply crisis, declining tax revenue, the aftermath of the bourbon-hoarding scandal, and the complex task of integrating cannabis regulation with the agency's traditional alcohol oversight mission.
The OLCC is governed by a board of 9 citizen commissioners appointed by the governor to four-year terms, with Chair Dennis Doherty leading the commission. The commissioners set policy direction while the executive director manages day-to-day operations.
The Bourbon-Hoarding Scandal
In one of the most embarrassing episodes in the agency's history, an investigation revealed that former OLCC Executive Director Steve Marks and at least five senior employees had diverted rare and allocated bourbon bottles for their personal use. These bottles — highly sought-after limited releases that retail customers compete to purchase — were systematically set aside by agency insiders who exploited their positions within the state's alcohol distribution system.
The scandal eroded public trust in the OLCC and led to leadership changes. It also drew attention to the unusual structure of Oregon's liquor system, in which the state operates as the sole wholesale distributor of distilled spirits — giving OLCC employees direct access to inventory that consumers can only obtain through a lottery or waiting list.
The fallout reinforced calls for greater transparency and accountability at the agency, particularly as it took on the increasingly complex task of cannabis regulation alongside its traditional alcohol oversight role.
The CAMP Platform
The OLCC manages cannabis licensing and compliance through the Cannabis and Alcohol Management Platform (CAMP), a centralized digital system that handles:
- License applications and renewals for all cannabis business types
- Worker permit processing — over 214,000 permits issued to date
- Compliance tracking and inspection scheduling
- Seed-to-sale monitoring via integration with the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS/Metrc)
- Business and owner verification including background checks
CAMP serves more than 19,000 businesses and 214,000 workers across Oregon's cannabis and alcohol industries.
License Types and Moratorium
The OLCC issues several cannabis license types:
| License Type | Application Fee | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (tiered by canopy) | $250 | $100–$5,750 |
| Processor | $250 | $4,750 |
| Wholesaler | $250 | $4,750 |
| Retailer | $250 | $4,750 |
| Laboratory | $250 | $4,750 |
| Research Certificate | $250 | $1,000–$4,750 |
| Worker Permit (5-year) | $100 | |
Moratorium permanently in effect. No new licenses accepted. Market entry only through purchasing existing licenses ("one-in, one-out"). SB 162 allows license terms up to 5 years for renewals.
Under HB 4121 (March 2024), Oregon established a permanent moratorium on new cannabis production licenses. New market entry is now only possible by purchasing an existing license — a "one-in, one-out" system designed to prevent further oversupply. SB 162 (2025) allows license terms of up to five years for renewals, reducing administrative burden for compliant operators.
Enforcement and Compliance
The OLCC's enforcement division conducts regular inspections of licensed cannabis businesses, investigates complaints, and coordinates with law enforcement agencies on illegal market activity. Since 2017, Oregon has spent more than $46 million fighting the black market cannabis trade, particularly unlicensed cultivation operations in Southern Oregon that divert product to states where cannabis remains illegal or commands higher prices.
Enforcement priorities include:
- Unlicensed cultivation and diversion to out-of-state markets
- Compliance with testing and labeling requirements
- Underage sales prevention
- Advertising violations and marketing restrictions
- Seed-to-sale tracking discrepancies
Contact the OLCC
| Phone | (503) 872-5000 |
|---|---|
| marijuana.licensing@olcc.oregon.gov | |
| Address | 9079 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR 97222 |
| Website | oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana |
| Executive Director | Tara Wasiak (July 2025–present) |
| Commission Chair | Dennis Doherty |
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) regulates all licensed cannabis businesses in Oregon, managing over 19,000 licensed businesses and 214,000 worker permits through the CAMP platform.
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission
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