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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregon To Set Rules For Marijuana Edibles

nickolette
/
Flickr
Officials in Oregon are set to make recommendations on regulating edible marijuana products. This file photo shows a window display of various medical cannabis products in Amsterdam.

A panel of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission met for the last time Monday. They’ll soon issue final recommendations on how the state should regulate edible marijuana products.

Edibles let people eat marijuana instead of smoke it. That’s made it a popular part of Oregon’s existing medical marijuana system. But it’s led to problems for states that legalized recreational pot sooner.

Many in Colorado said they ingested too much without clearly-labeled doses. Children there ended up in the emergency room from edible marijuana products. Some people think it’s because the packages looked like candy. And Colorado veterinarians say dogs are getting into it and getting sick.

“We understand the concerns,” said OLCC marijuana spokesperson Tom Towslee. “And that’s why we are taking a very, very slow approach to edibles. We’re more concerned about getting this right than getting it fast.”

Oregonians can buy dry pot from existing dispensaries beginning October 1, but Towslee said edibles won’t come until later next year.