Cannabis Questions and Answers

Public Possession Quantity Limits

Units of weight change by cannabis form.

* Unlike the other forms of cannabis, persons may possess more concentrate in public than a cannabis retailer is lawfully allowed to sell to a single individual in a day.

Private Possession Quantity Limits

Units of weight change by cannabis form.

Although it is legal to use cannabis in Oregon, it is still illegal to use it in public.

If someone is smoking in a public place, including a concert, outside a bar or restaurant, or in their parked vehicle, you may contact Deschutes County’s non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 to report the incident.

If the person is driving while using cannabis, then call 911 to report a DUII.

It is difficult to know 100% whether or not a marijuana grow is legal because adults in Oregon are allowed to grow up to 4 plants on their private property. If you see a grow operation that has more than 4 plants, is on public property, has excess activity after normal business hours, or the operation appears unprofessional, you may submit a report to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement using our illegal cannabis activity submission portal. There may be legitimate reasons these activities are occurring, but they could also be illegal activity. The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team will be able to make that determination.

Since cannabis is a legal substance in the State of Oregon, you can either look for who owned it, turn it over to the business’ lost and found, or dispose of it yourself. If the amount substantially exceeds the legal limit for personal possession in public, one ounce or roughly the weight of a pencil, you may contact Deschutes County’s non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 to report the incident.

It is illegal to possess cannabis while at Mt. Bachelor because Mt. Bachelor is on U.S. Forest Service land and cannabis is still considered an illegal substance under federal law.

In Oregon only licensed recreational cannabis retail businesses are allowed to sell cannabis. Adults (21+) in Oregon may gift other adults (21+) also physically in Oregon legally grown or legally purchased recreational cannabis in quantities that do not exceed public possession limits.

If you suspect an unlicensed individual is selling, gifting, or exchanging small quantities of cannabis to minors, you may contact Deschutes County’s non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 to report the situation. If you suspect, however, the individual is dealing in large quantities, submit a report to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement through the CannaFact Report a Lead page.

Selling cannabis to adults (21+) is only legal in Oregon when it is done by a licensed recreational cannabis business. Adults in Oregon may gift small amounts of cannabis to other adults (21+) as long as the substance was legally grown or purchased through a licenses business. If you suspect an unlicensed individual or business is selling, gifting, or exchanging small quantities of cannabis to adults you may contact Deschutes County’s non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 to report the situation. If you suspect the individual is distributing large quantities, submit a report to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement through the CannaFact Report a Lead.

It is illegal in Oregon to sell or give cannabis to people under age 21. Similarly, people under the age of 21 cannot legally purchase or possess cannabis in Oregon unless they have a valid medical exemption. If you suspect that someone is selling, gifting, or exchanging small quantities of cannabis to minors, you may contact Deschutes County’s non-emergency line at 541-693-6911 to report the situation. If you suspect the individual is dealing in large quantities, submit a report to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement through the CannaFact Report a Lead.

Under most circumstances it is legal in Oregon for adults (21+) to use or grow small amounts of cannabis on private property; therefor, exposure to cannabis smells is similar to tobacco: offensive to some, but not to others. Your best recourse is to talk with the person/people to see if you can find a compromise regarding when and where they use the substance. Alternatively, if the property is rented and the landlord prohibits cannabis, you can file a report with the owner or property manager. However, if the smell comes from a larger grow operation (i.e., more than four plants) you can submit a report to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement through the CannaFact Report a Lead.

Since it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to be in possession of recreational cannabis, regardless of the amount, form or location, students should not have cannabis at school. You can contact the individual school to report the issue. If you know that the person involved with the cannabis is a juvenile (under 18) and the actions are not happening on school grounds, you can contact the Deschutes County non-emergency line at 541-693-6911.

USPS does allow hemp to be shipped through the mail, but has strict proof requirements to ensure the product is hemp and not recreational cannabis. All shipping companies have the authority to open questionable packages, and they work closely with law enforcement to ensure recreational cannabis is not shipped or sent through the mail.

Even though recreational cannabis is legal in Oregon, it is illegal to transport cannabis across state lines, even into states where it is also legal.
TSA is a federal agency that is primarily concerned with identifying threats to aviation. However, since cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, if an agent finds a small amount of cannabis in your luggage, they will either ask you to dispose of it or will contact airport security, who will also likely just have you dispose of the product. If you are only flying to another city within the state of Oregon, TSA may allow you to keep the cannabis. If large quantities are discovered, law enforcement will be contacted.

It is legal for adults (21+) to purchase cannabis from a licensed recreational cannabis retailer while in Deschutes County. If you are a visitor, it is important to note that MOST lodging facilities DO NOT allow guests to smoke cannabis. Contact your lodging site to see what is or is not permitted. If in doubt, it is advisable to purchase edibles or other cannabis products that do not need to be smoked.

It is also important to remember that any unused cannabis cannot be transported across state lines. So if you are visiting from another state you must consume or dispose of any cannabis before driving or flying home.

Cannabis that is purchased in Oregon must remain in Oregon. Even if you live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, it remains illegal to drive, fly, mail or transport recreational cannabis across state lines. If you have leftover cannabis you may either discard it or as long as it within the legal limits you can gift it to another adult (21+) remaining in Oregon.

It is illegal to use cannabis in public, and campgrounds are considered public locations. Also most camping in Deschutes County occurs on federal land, and cannabis is still considered an illegal substance under federal law.

Adult (21+) residents of Deschutes County are allowed to purchase seeds and plants to grow cannabis. They may grow a maximum of four (4) plants per household. Even if there are two or more adults living at a residence, the household may only grow a total of four plants. These plants must also be grown in a location that is out of public view.

If you notice someone who has used cannabis is having a bad reaction, such as extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fast heart rate, delusions or hallucinations, it is recommended that you help the person find a safe and calming place to be. Remind the individual that they are not in danger. In most cases the anxiety they are feeling will begin to subside; however, if that doesn’t work and they are having trouble breathing and/or are experiencing severe nausea or vomiting, it is advisable to go to the emergency room or call first responders.

Since children are small, they can experience a severe reactions to cannabis, which can potentially be life threatening. It is advisable to immediately call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. You can also contact your child’s doctor or request help from the American Association of Poison Control Centers 1-800-222-1222.

Cannabis affects every pet differently. For most pets it can be a scary experience that makes them feel sick, and it can also be potentially dangerous. It is advisable to immediately contact your vet or call a pet poison control hotline for assistance.