How Cannabis Fared in the Oregon Elections (Hint: Very Well!)

Cannabis not only won big around the country on Election Day 2018, but also on a local level last week within states that had already legalized adult use marijuana, such as Oregon and California. As to Oregon in particular, a handful of cities voted to lift bans on recreational marijuana on November 6. Nearly all of them succeeded.

As we’ve previously explained, Oregon allowed cities and counties to opt out of the legal sale of recreational cannabis. Many cities and counties–particularly rural areas east of the Cascades–chose to go this route. One of the few ways cities and counties can lift the ban is through local initiatives that are presented to the voters. On November 6, some of those previously opted-out Oregon cities were able to life their bans through this process.

Ontario

Back in 2014, when Oregonians as a whole voted on the legalization of recreational cannabis use and sales, Ontario, Oregon was one of the cities that overwhelming voted against legalization. Ontario’s strong stance against the legalization of recreational marijuana allowed the city to ban the sale and production of marijuana. That all changed on November 6, 2018. According to preliminary results, the city lifted the ban with 1904 citizen voting in favor of the sale and taxation of marijuana within the city and 1450 voting against. The ban will officially lift on January 2, 2018. At that time, marijuana business owners can submit applications to the city for conditional use permits to open retail stores in the City. (Full disclosure: We worked on this initiative process.)

Klamath Falls

Similar to Ontario, Klamath Falls banned marijuana after the November 2014 statewide vote. On election night 2018, the Klamath Falls voters passed an initiative allowing recreational sale of marijuana in the city. Klamath Falls ban on recreational sales will be lifted in February 2019.

Klamath Falls faced strong opposition in an anti-pot PAC that raised more than $23,000 against the petition. Not a small measure for a local election. The surrounding county, unfortunately, is still dry.

Clatskanie

Unlike Ontario and Klamath Falls, Clatskanie citizens voted on what is known as a “referendum.” A referendum is an ordinance passed by the City Council that is put to public vote. Here, the city council of Clatskanie proposed a vote on banning marijuana businesses in the City limits. The voters made their intentions clear and struck down the ordinance—meaning the City must allow marijuana businesses within City limits. Another win.

Sumpter

Sumpter may have squeaked out a victory for recreational marijuana businesses on election night. According to the Baker City Herald, 73 persons voted no to banning marijuana businesses whereas 72 voted yes to the ban. Sumpter may be joining Klamath Falls and Ontario in the new year licensing recreational marijuana businesses. This one is incredibly close.

Sisters

Unfortunately, Sisters was unable to generate enough votes to lift the ban. Nearly 57 percent of voters in Sisters voted to keep its current ban on recreational marijuana businesses banned in the city limits. Perhaps city residents were biased after two Sisters residents were arrested on October 11 related to an illegal operation.

All in all, it was a good night for local cities. Many Oregon cities have tried and failed to lift bans in past elections, however, there seems to be a clear movement towards lifting bans in cities to allow the recreational sale of marijuana (and getting access to that growing stream of state-wide tax revenue). We here at Harris Bricken are hopeful the trend will continue, and are excited to be a part of it along the way.