Oregonians passed Measure 91 in 2014, an initiative to control, regulate, and tax marijuana in the state. As a result, adults over the age of 21 have been able to legally purchase, possess and grow cannabis under specific guidelines since July of 2015. Cannabis laws vary state to state, even in recreational, adult-use states. That’s why we’ve made it easy to brush up on your Oregon weed laws in one place.

Oregon Marijuana Possession Laws

Public possession is different than private possession in Oregon law, so it’s important to differentiate between the two.

Public Possession

If you’re in a public place, you can possess up to one ounce of “usable marijuana.” The state defines this as any marijuana that is ready to smoke, referring to dried leaves and flowers specifically. Beyond a limit of one ounce of dried leaves and flowers, other limitations for public possession are:

• One ounce of cannabinoid extracts or concentrates
• 16 ounces of a cannabinoid product in solid form
• 72 ounces of a cannabinoid product in liquid form
• 10 marijuana seeds
• Four immature marijuana plants

The state also defines a public place as “a place to which the general public has access and includes, but is not limited to, hallways, lobbies, and other parts of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence, and highways, streets, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds, and premises used in connection with public passenger transportation.” If you’re caught with an ounce or less of cannabis in a public space, you are in the clear. Consuming it in public is never legal, however.

Private possession

The laws are different for possession of cannabis in a private space, such as in the comfort of your own home. Oregon law states you can possess:

• Eight ounces of usable marijuana
• One ounce of cannabinoid extract or concentrates
• 16 ounces of a cannabinoid product in solid form
• 72 ounces of a cannabinoid product in liquid form
• 10 marijuana seeds
• Four immature marijuana plants

You can possess the same amount of liquids, concentrates, seeds, and plants in public and in private. The biggest difference between public and private possession is the limitations of possessing usable marijuana.

Oregon’s Marijuana Purchasing Laws

If you are 21 or older, you can legally purchase cannabis and cannabis products in Oregon with a valid ID. It’s not a free-for-all, though. There are limits to how much you can buy at one time, or in one day. Adults 21 and older may purchase:

• One ounce of usable marijuana (or 24 ounces of usable marijuana to medical marijuana cardholders and designated caregivers)
• Five grams cannabinoid extracts or concentrates
• 16 ounces cannabinoid product in solid form
• 72 ounces cannabinoid product in liquid form
• 10 marijuana seeds
• Four immature plants

Cannabis Gifting

Gifting cannabis to other adults over 21 is legal in Oregon, though it cannot conflict with possession limitations. Homemade extracts are not legal for gifting, though extracts purchased from a licensed retailer are fair game. No financial consideration can be involved with the gift, meaning donations, cover charges, raffles, or any situation where money is exchanged for goods will make the “gift” transaction illegal.

Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana in Oregon

If you’re caught driving under the influence of cannabis in Oregon, you’re subject to getting a DUI. While there is a blood alcohol percentage limit for driving under the influence of alcohol, there is no limit for cannabis, and any amount can get you in trouble. This is bad news because THC can stay in the system for much longer than it causes intoxicating effects. Even if your high has worn off, it’s best to avoid smoking and driving in general, because it can land you in trouble.

Oregon’s Marijuana Transportation Laws

Despite having multiple cannabis-friendly neighboring states, it is illegal to transport marijuana across Oregon’s state line, although some advocates are trying to change that. You can drive with legal amounts of cannabis in the car and even fly within the state if you’re within the possession limitations.

Cultivating Marijuana in Oregon

Adults can grow up to four plants from the comfort of their own home. This doesn’t mean per adult per home, it means per home. The limit for one household, despite the number of residents, is four marijuana plants.

What About Medical Marijuana?

The recreational marijuana laws in Oregon do not supersede medical marijuana laws in the state. If you are a registered medical patient or caregiver in Oregon, you can possess:

• Up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana
• 16 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in solid form
• 72 ounces of a medical cannabinoid product in liquid form
• 16 ounces of a cannabinoid concentrate
• Five grams of cannabinoid extract
• Four immature marijuana plants
• 50 seeds

You can learn more about and apply for the medical marijuana program on the Oregon Health Authority website.

Additional information on Oregon’s weed laws

While cannabis is legal under specific regulations in Oregon, specific areas may opt-out of the business side of things. There are plenty of cities and counties that have voted to opt-out of allowing marijuana sales, though state laws about possession are still applicable in areas that have opted out for sales. Tribal and federal land is not included when talking about legal marijuana in Oregon. Cannabis remains illegal on federal land, and you can still get in trouble for possessing it in these areas. The state does not address marijuana laws on tribal land and says, “this is an issue between the Federal Government and Tribal Governments.”