The Oregon House of Representatives passed a bill on May 22, 2023, permitting licensed cannabis companies to exchange product samples during trade shows. The vote concluded with a 40-10 majority, and the bill now awaits Governor Tina Kotek’s signature.
Senate Bill 558, previously approved by the state Senate, aims to allow wholesale transactions and the distribution of ‘trade samples’ among cannabis industry participants. Currently, state regulations prohibit cannabis operators from providing product samples in any scenario. This new legislation is restricted to industry trade shows and does not extend to public sampling.
The bill’s supporters argue that it is crucial for budtenders and retail staff to experience the products they sell, enhancing their ability to inform customers. Jesse Bontecou, the executive director of the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon, highlighted the necessity of updating existing regulations, stating that many current laws were established during the early days of legalization when the market was less developed.
In a related development, a federal judge recently blocked a voter-approved measure that would require cannabis companies to establish labor agreements with employees, ruling that such a measure infringed on the First Amendment rights of business owners. This ruling adds another layer to the evolving landscape of cannabis regulation in Oregon.
As the cannabis industry continues to mature in Oregon, this bill marks a notable shift in how businesses interact and promote their products within the regulated market.
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