Cannabis

Oregon state lawmakers allocated $6 million to community groups this year to help with what they’ve called a humanitarian crisis for workers in the state’s cannabis industry.

Part of a $6 million Oregon state grant is being rolled out to help treat mental health issues among cannabis farm workers stemming from poor working conditions.

A proposed bill would require cannabis products to carry large warnings, similar to cigarettes. But the state's legal cannabis industry says more rules make it harder to compete with the illicit market.

Authorities from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission visited Southern Oregon to hear from lawmakers, state officials and stakeholders Wednesday about the issues they expect to face with the cannabis market during 2022.

Workers and officials with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 said the company CBN Holdings has been interfering with organizing efforts involving about 20 employees who work in multiple facets of the operation

A surge in robberies at licensed cannabis shops is helping fuel a renewed push for federal banking reforms that would make the cash-dependent stores a less appealing target.

Hemp farmers in Oregon worry about the future of their industry amid an array of challenges, including new state rules and enforcement and an uncertain regulatory environment at the federal level.

The United States House of Representatives will vote next week on whether to stop listing cannabis as a controlled substance.

Cannabis regulators around the country, including in Oregon and Washington, face a vexing question: What place does chemically derived THC have in regulated adult-use or medical markets?

“These are being sold right now, without any regulation, without any oversight,” said Democratic Sen. Karen Keiser. “It’s a public health danger and a threat, and it needs to be removed.”