Oregon clean air rules may spell trouble for marijuana clubs and cafes

New clean air rules prohibiting marijuana smoking and vaping in work and public places may spell the end for Portland's cottage industry of lounges and clubs where people light up and hang out.

A Multnomah County tobacco program specialist visited the World Famous Cannabis Café in Southeast Portland earlier this week to follow up on a complaint about a member of the public about smoking in the establishment. During the visit, Erik Vidstrand told café owner Madeline Martinez that cannabis smoking and vaping won't be legal in her club starting Jan. 1.

Though Oregon's Indoor Clean Air Act was implemented in 2009, lawmakers this year expanded it to prohibit the use of devices like vaporizer pens and e-cigarettes in public areas and work places. Marijuana was also added to the law, which initially targeted only tobacco.

The indoor clean air law includes exemptions for two types of businesses: cigar bars, where patrons may smoke...

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