Oregon's Marijuana History

November 1998 â?? Marijuana becomes legalized for medicinal purposes

September 1999 â?? 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that seriously ill patients have a right to use marijuana even though it is illegal federally.

July 2001 â?? Ultimately unsuccessful, a marijuana reform group gets a measure placed on the

November 2002 â?? ballot that would allow medical marijuana users to have cards and be able to buy marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries.

October 2003 â?? The U.S. Supreme Court rules that Oregon doctors can prescribe medical marijuana to their patients without fear of punishment from the federal government.

November 2004 â?? Oregon voters reject Measure 33.

July 2005 â?? Oregon passes a bill allowing medical marijuana cardholders to possess up to 1 ½ pounds of dried marijuana and six mature plants.

October 2009 â?? The U.S. Justice Department makes clear that the federal government will not try to prosecute medical marijuana users or suppliers if they follow state laws.

April 2010 â?? In a Eugene case with national implications, the Oregon Supreme Court rules that employers do not have to accommodate a workerâ??s medical marijuana use, even if itâ??s off the job.

May 2010 â?? Proponents of medical marijuana dispensaries announce theyâ??ve collected enough valid signatures to place Measure 74 on the November ballot.

July 2010 â?? The number of medical marijuana cardholders in Oregon stands at 36,673 â?? 73 times the 500 that the state originally estimated â?? with another 5,037 applications pending. Oregon is now one of 14 state, along with the District of Columbia, to have legalized medical marijuana.


Oregon's Marijuana History

Oregon voters vote down measure 74 on November 2nd 2010 by a small margin. Does not affect standing MM law.