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A warning was sent to Oregon dispensaries from the Oregon Health Authority regarding marijuana extracts this week. Dispensaries are warned to stop accepting marijuana extracts such as butane hash oil from processors without valid licensing. The licensing process for extract makers is not set to be available until April.
Only those with medical marijuana cards and their caregivers may purchase extracts, unless a new bill goes into effect for recreational marijuana extract use. One extract processor, Lunchbox Alchemy, has stopped production of BHO products, according to Oregon Live. The proposal awaiting signature from the Governor would allow adults 21 and over to purchase extracts under the Early Sales Program.
Lunchbox Alchemy owner, Cameron Yee, said, “I have to do whatever I need to do to keep my doors open. It’s really burdensome. It’s causing a lot of hardship on me, lots of sleepless nights.” This comes following the decision to focus his business on marijuana concentrates following the disruption regarding extracts. Concentrates are known to be less popular, but the business owner still needs to be producing a product of some kind to stay afloat.
Governor Kate Brown signed a bill earlier in the month designating unlicensed marijuana extract production a felony. The measure was done in an effort to stop black market butane hash oil operations.
Applications for marijuana extract production licensing will not be available until April 1st online. The application and approval process take some time to complete – a few months is what program officials claim.
Andre Ourso, Oregon medical marijuana program manager, said, “The application has to be reviewed. Companies will need to ensure that they meet local rules and fire safety requirements. They still have to get their product tested for pesticides through an accredited laboratory.”
He went on to say, “We just don’t want new products coming in from an unregistered processor,” in response to requiring extract producers to be licensed.
Foster Buds dispensary manager, Ken Martin says, “Our hands are tied.” The dispensary will sell what extracts they have in-stock, as those sales make up one-third of their revenue. They will have to wait until the industry becomes licensed to offer extracts again.
