Last verified: March 2026
The Short Answer: Yes, Cannabis Is Fully Legal
Cannabis is legal in Oregon for adults 21 and older. On November 4, 2014, voters approved Measure 91 with 56% of the vote, legalizing recreational cannabis under ORS 475C (the Oregon Cannabis Code). The first recreational sales began on October 1, 2015, at existing medical dispensaries, and licensed recreational retail stores opened on October 1, 2016.
But Oregon's cannabis story starts more than four decades earlier. In 1973, Governor Tom McCall signed legislation making Oregon the first state in the nation to decriminalize marijuana — reducing possession of up to an ounce from a criminal offense to a violation carrying a fine. That pioneering spirit continued through medical legalization in 1998, recreational legalization in 2014, and the nation's first legal psilocybin therapy program in 2020.
A person 21 years of age or older may possess, use, or transport up to one ounce of usable marijuana in a public place and up to eight ounces in a non-public place.
ORS 475C.337 — Lawful Possession
Key Facts at a Glance
| Recreational (Adult-Use) | Legal for adults 21+ with any valid government-issued ID |
|---|---|
| Medical (OMMP) | Available since 1998 (Measure 67). 12,963 active patients. $200/year (highest in nation) |
| Possession (Public) | 1 ounce of usable flower |
| Possession (Home) | 8 ounces of usable flower |
| Purchase Limits | 2 oz flower, 10g concentrates, 16 oz solid edibles, 72 oz liquid, 10 seeds |
| Home Growing | 4 plants per household (recreational), 6 mature + 12 immature (medical) |
| Where You Can Consume | Private property only — no public consumption, no lounges |
| Public Consumption | Up to $1,000 fine (Class B violation) |
| State Regulator | Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) |
| Governing Law | ORS 475C (Cannabis Code), OAR 845 (admin rules) |
A Brief History of Cannabis in Oregon
No state has been at the forefront of cannabis reform longer than Oregon:
- 1973: Governor Tom McCall signed legislation making Oregon the first state to decriminalize marijuana, reducing possession of up to an ounce from a criminal offense to a civil violation.
- 1998: Voters approved Measure 67 with 54.6% of the vote, establishing the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) under the Oregon Health Authority.
- November 4, 2014: Voters passed Measure 91 with 56% of the vote, legalizing recreational cannabis.
- October 1, 2015: First recreational cannabis sales began at existing medical dispensaries.
- October 1, 2016: Licensed recreational retail stores opened across the state.
- November 2020: Voters approved Measure 110 (drug decriminalization) and Measure 109 (legal psilocybin therapy) — both national firsts.
- 2024: Measure 110 partially reversed by HB 4002 amid the fentanyl crisis backlash.
Oregon's Psilocybin Pioneering
In 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 109, making Oregon the first state to legalize regulated psilocybin therapy. Licensed psilocybin service centers began operating in 2023, continuing Oregon's tradition of leading the nation on drug policy reform. For more information, see our Psilocybin & Measure 109 guide.
Federal Land Warning
Oregon contains significant federal land — Crater Lake National Park, Mt. Hood National Forest, the Oregon Dunes, BLM land, and dozens of national forests and wilderness areas. Cannabis is a federal crime on all of it, regardless of state law. If you're heading outdoors, leave your cannabis at your private accommodation.
The Opt-Out Landscape
Oregon allows local jurisdictions to ban cannabis businesses. As of 2026, 82 cities and 17 counties have opted out of allowing recreational retail sales. However, all major population centers allow cannabis businesses, including Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend, Medford, Ashland, and Corvallis.
Explore Oregon Cannabis Law
Dive deeper into specific topics with our detailed guides:
New to cannabis? Cannabis 101 on TryCannabis.org covers the basics — what cannabis is, how it works, and what to expect.
Official Sources
- Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC)
- ORS 475C — Oregon Cannabis Code
- Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP)
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org