Know the rules. Enjoy it responsibly.
Cannabis is legal for adults in Oregon, but there are still clear rules about who can buy it, where you can use it and where it can go. Here's a plain-English guide to using cannabis legally and safely.
Oregon cannabis rules at a glance.
Oregon voters legalised adult-use cannabis with Measure 91 in 2014, and licensed retail sales began in 2015. Today the recreational market is regulated by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), and the medical program is run by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
21+ only
You must be 21 or older to buy, possess or use recreational cannabis. Registered OMMP patients aged 18 and over can buy from licensed dispensaries with their card.
Private use only
Use cannabis on private property with the owner's permission. Using it in public places is against the law.
Never drive high
Driving under the influence of cannabis is a DUII offence in Oregon, just like driving after drinking.
Stays in Oregon
Taking cannabis across state lines is illegal under federal law, even into another state where cannabis is legal.
Buy from licensed stores
Only OLCC-licensed retailers can legally sell cannabis. Licensed products are tested, labelled and tracked from seed to sale.
Know your limits
Oregon sets limits on how much you can buy in a day and how much you can have with you in public and at home.
Who can buy, and how much.
Adults 21 and over can buy cannabis from any OLCC-licensed retailer, like The Joint on Market, by showing a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Visitors from other states and countries are welcome, as long as they meet the age requirement and show valid ID such as an out-of-state driver's licence or passport.
Registered patients in the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) aged 18 and over can buy from licensed dispensaries with their OMMP card and photo ID. Patients may have higher purchase limits and may be exempt from the retail marijuana tax on eligible purchases.
Oregon sets daily purchase limits for each type of product, including flower, edibles, concentrates and seeds. Our point-of-sale system automatically keeps every sale within the legal limit. Buying cannabis for someone who isn't allowed to purchase it, including anyone under 21, is illegal.
Private property, with permission.
Oregon law allows adults to use cannabis in private, but not in public. Here's how that works in everyday situations.
✓ Where it's generally allowed
In your own home, or on private property where the owner allows it. If you rent, check your lease, because landlords can ban smoking or vaping cannabis on their property. Hotels, short-term rentals and campgrounds set their own rules, so always ask first.
✕ Where it's not allowed
Streets, sidewalks, parks, bars, restaurants, public transport, and anywhere open to the public. That includes dispensaries and their parking lots. Oregon's Indoor Clean Air Act also bans smoking and vaping cannabis in most workplaces and indoor public spaces.
✕ In vehicles
It's illegal to use cannabis while driving or riding in a vehicle on a public road. When you're carrying cannabis in a car, keep it sealed in its original packaging and out of reach, such as in the trunk.
✕ On federal land
Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, so it can't be used or carried on federal property. That includes national forests, national parks, Bureau of Land Management land and federal buildings, even within Oregon.
Drive high, get a DUII.
In Oregon, driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) includes cannabis. If police believe you're impaired, you can be arrested, lose your licence and face fines or jail time, even if you bought your cannabis legally.
Cannabis can slow reaction times and affect coordination and judgement. Edibles can take hours to kick in and their effects can last a long time, so don't assume you're fine to drive just because you don't feel it yet.
If you've used cannabis, plan ahead: use a sober driver, rideshare, a taxi or public transport.
Growing your own.
Adults 21 and over may grow up to four cannabis plants per household for personal use. Plants must be kept out of public view, and the limit applies per home, not per person. Registered OMMP patients and growers may have different limits under OHA rules.
Homegrown cannabis is for personal use only. Selling it without an OLCC licence is illegal. Making cannabis extracts at home using flammable solvents such as butane is also illegal in Oregon, because it can cause fires and explosions.
Gifting and sharing.
Oregon law allows adults 21 and over to share small amounts of cannabis with other adults 21 and over, as long as no money or anything of value changes hands. "Gifts" that are tied to a purchase, such as free cannabis with a paid item, count as sales and are not allowed without a licence.
It's always illegal to give, sell or share cannabis with anyone under 21. Store products securely in their child-resistant packaging, away from children and pets. Edibles in particular can look like ordinary sweets.
Where federal law still applies.
Even though cannabis is legal in Oregon, it is still a controlled substance under federal law. That has real consequences in a few situations.
Crossing state lines
Taking cannabis from Oregon into any other state, including Washington, California and Idaho, is illegal under federal law, and can also break the other state's laws.
Air travel
Airport security is run by federal agencies, and flying with cannabis can lead to problems with law enforcement. Leave it at home.
Jobs and drug testing
Oregon employers can still test for cannabis and can have drug-free workplace policies. Federal employees, federal contractors and many transport workers are subject to federal drug rules.
Firearms
Federal law restricts firearm possession by people who use controlled substances, and this has applied to state-legal cannabis users. If this affects you, speak to a qualified attorney.
Federal benefits and housing
Federally subsidised housing and some federal programs may prohibit cannabis use, even where it's legal under state law.
Rescheduling
The federal government has been moving to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Even if that happens, it would not make recreational cannabis federally legal or allow it to cross state lines.
Enjoy cannabis the smart way.
Start low, go slow
Begin with a small amount and wait before having more, at least two hours with edibles. Effects vary from person to person and product to product.
Don't mix
Combining cannabis with alcohol or other substances can increase impairment. Talk to your doctor if you take prescription medication.
Know when to stop
Avoid cannabis if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you or someone else has taken too much and has severe symptoms, call 911, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Legal use FAQs.
Is cannabis legal in Oregon?
Yes. Adults 21 and over can legally buy, possess and use cannabis in Oregon, within state limits. Medical cannabis is available to registered OMMP patients aged 18 and over.
Can tourists buy cannabis in Oregon?
Yes. Visitors aged 21 and over can buy from licensed retailers with a valid government-issued photo ID, such as an out-of-state driver's licence or passport. All cannabis must be used in Oregon and can't be taken home across state lines.
Can I smoke cannabis in my car if it's parked?
No. Using cannabis in a vehicle on a public road or in a public place, including a parked car, is not allowed.
Can I use cannabis in a hotel or Airbnb?
Only if the property allows it. Many hotels and rentals ban smoking and vaping of any kind, so check the rules before you book.
Can I take cannabis to Washington or California?
No. Even though both states have legalised cannabis, taking it across state lines is illegal under federal law.
Can my employer fire me for using cannabis?
Oregon employers can generally have drug-free workplace policies and test for cannabis, even if you only use it off duty. Check your employer's policy, and speak to an employment lawyer if you have concerns.
Is it legal to grow cannabis at home?
Yes. Adults 21 and over can grow up to four plants per household, out of public view, for personal use only.
This page is a general guide to cannabis laws in Oregon and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations can change. For the latest official information, visit the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) websites, or speak to a qualified attorney about your situation.