Local government officials, cannabis entrepreneurs and industry advocates came together to show support for the release of the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT) policy report.
The report is useful in recommending how the city’s cannabis tax revenue can support the communities most affected by the cannabis ban, while acknowledging the CPOT’s role in developing policy to help cannabis businesses continue to deal with the fallout from COVID, increased burglaries, vandalism and wildfires.
Dozens participated in person and watched the live broadcast as Portland officials and cannabis influencers emphasized the importance of removing the stigma of cannabis use.
You can read the Cannabis Policy Report here
CPOT proactively influences cannabis policy to shape the future of the industry
The landmark press conference was mobilized by CPOT, the city’s official cannabis advisory body made up of community stakeholders, including the nation’s top cannabis industry leaders.
Established in 2015, CPOT explores current cannabis laws and policies at the local, state, and federal levels. The CPOT also provides an industry perspective to the Office of Community and Civic Life’s Cannabis Program, and ultimately informs the City of Portland about cannabis-related policies. The group of volunteers holds bi-monthly plenary sessions to discuss and develop policies with the goal of industrial diversity, equity, access and sustainability for the overall benefit of the City Cannabis programme.
“CPOT proactively shapes cannabis policy and develops new approaches to industry destigma, cannabis efficiency and regulatory support,” said Portland Cannabis Program Director Dashida Dawson. “I want to compliment the Oregon market, but specifically the Portland market, because for me, it’s the most advanced market in the country, and it definitely makes the most sense. We have over 400 licenses under the program, and we continue to look for ways we can push stock and potential Access and sustainability in the industry”.
Justice and equity in cannabis: why is cannabis policy reform needed?
Shareholder Rights Center for Policy Recommendations (CPOT). The nascent cannabis market was finding its way toward environmental sustainability, human equity, economic resilience and justice for past injuries due to the cannabis ban.
“When it comes to clearing past criminal records related to cannabis, this should not only be the business of the City of Portland,” Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said. “We need Oregon to ramp up and erase previous nonviolent cannabis convictions from everyone’s records. And we need the federal government to adapt to the times, change the federal classification of cannabis so that our small businesses can stop bearing such a heavy tax burden, low to no insurance, Astronomical bank charges, ineligibility for federal support even during a global pandemic. It’s the modern equation for taxes without representation.”
The city shared that 412 active domestic cannabis licensors exist with an estimated 13% of them owned by BIPOC. CPOT is looking for more ways to increase equity, diversity, and opportunity in a multibillion dollar industry.
Although 2021 was another record year for cannabis industry sales in Oregon, the concurrent crises of COVID, burglary and wildfires, while being excluded from federal aid and COVID relief, have left the cannabis industry without any emergency support.
The CPOT soon started working, and advised Civic Life and Portland City Council for it $1.33 million management Hemp emergency relief fund. The vote was historic as Portland became the first government jurisdiction in the country to allocate cannabis tax revenue to help cannabis businesses and workers as they continue to weather the effects of thefts, COVID-19 and wildfires.
On April 1, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 220-204 to favor and eliminate marijuana reinvestment opportunity (moreThe Act (HR 3617) that legalizes cannabis at the federal level.
U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer helped pass this bill. If passed, the measure would require federal courts to overturn previous cannabis convictions and hold hearings to reinstate those who have completed their sentences. It also allows for a 5% sales tax on hemp and hemp products that can be used in grant programs focused on job training, drug abuse treatment, and loans to help disadvantaged small businesses enter the industry.
The MORE Act has been directed to the Senate, and is expected to face strong headwinds. Three Senate champions are leading the bill’s efforts, including Senators Schumer, Booker and Wyden.
City of Portland Cannabis Program
Portland cannabis program He oversees all regulatory, licensing, compliance, education, and equality initiatives in the city’s legal cannabis industry.
A central Portland cannabis regulatory office helps businesses thrive and keeps our community safer. The Cannabis Program helps ensure that Portland’s cannabis business community creates local jobs, supports public health and safety, employs a diverse workforce, invests in their employees and communities, and provides consumers with safe and legal options for purchasing and consuming cannabis.
The Cannabis Program is an equity-focused regulatory management framework designed to realize the reparative and restorative potential of the global movement to decriminalize cannabis. The city program remains an ambitious benchmark for local, state and federal jurisdictions demonstrating the cannabis industry’s ability to influence systemic racism globally.
about civic life
The cannabis program is located within the Office of Community and Civic Life (civil life). Civic Life connects Portlanders with their city government to promote the common good. Our programs create a culture of collaboration, expanding possibilities for all Portlanders to contribute their knowledge, experience, and creativity to solving local problems and improving life in the city we all share.
