Oregon's new marijuana legalization law is on shaky legal ground when it tries to limit the ability of local governments to tax and regulate retail sales of the drug, lawyers for cities and counties argued Wednesday.

The warning of potential legal action came as the counties and cities continued to press the Oregon Legislature to rewrite the marijuana measure approved by voters last November.

The local governments want the ability to levy their own taxes on retail marijuana sales, and they want more latitude to prohibit local sales altogether.

"Frankly, I would prefer to work with you than go to court," Rob Bovett, legal counsel for the Association of Oregon Counties, told legislators studying the implementation of Measure 91.

The emerging legal marijuana economy will see explosive growth in the coming years. Insurers should be prepared to adopt policies that spell out coverage for legally grown marijuana plants and medical marijuana property. The cannabis industry is expected to grow to nearly $15 billion over the next four years. In states where manufacture, sale and use is legal for recreational purposes, legalization will have a profound impact on not only personal lines insurance, but also commercial coverage, workers’ comp, product liability, healthcare insurance and more.

March 2, 2015

Oregon could keep medical marijuana completely separate from recreational cannabis when retail sales begin next year.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), which is tasked with writing recommendations for policymakers, told the state Legislature that it believes medical and recreational cannabis should not be sold under one roof unless both are tracked the same way – from seed to sale.

The OLCC “does not want to be responsible for the co-location of medical and recreational operations unless the medical side is run in a manner consistent with federal guidelines,” Rob Patridge, chair of the agency, said in a press release.

February 6, 2015

Attention, Oregon growers: If you’re looking to expand your crop base, you might want to consider hemp.

The state’s Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for business licenses to sow hemp. A three-year license will cost cultivators $1,500, and planting could begin as early as spring.

Industrial hemp, which hasn’t made as many waves politically or business-wise across the nation as marijuana, has already been planted and harvested in three other states: Colorado, Kentucky and Vermont.

Medical marijuana advocates in Maine are trying to spread the word about a recent study indicating the drug may slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Gelassen family of Portland says it works.

Allen Gelassen is a pretty happy guy despite living with Alzheimer’s.

“I always have a problem (remembering) day-to-day,”said Gelassen, “But distance, some of it I can, some of it I can’t.”

The diagnosis came a few months ago, after the stroke that left him in a wheelchair. And with it, prescription painkillers; something that impacted his kids’ lives too.

“Groggy, depressed,” said his son, Benjamin Gelassen, “Which put that energy onto me.”