About the Cannabis Program
The City of Portland’s Cannabis Program oversees all regulatory, licensing, compliance, community impact, and equity initiatives for the City’s legal cannabis industry, both medical and adult-use. In addition, the Cannabis Program oversees the Social Equity & Educational Development (SEED) Initiatives. Supported by an ongoing $1 million in cannabis tax revenue allocation, SEED Initiatives was launched as the Cannabis Program's vehicle for the single-source monitoring, measuring and reporting on the city's cannabis tax revenue, including administering the SEED Grant Fund.
As the cannabis industry grows, we continue to find ways to support equitable policies, help communities impacted by cannabis prohibition, and provide pathways for businesses to meet regulations and stay compliant. We believe this is the best way to ensure Portland’s cannabis business community creates local jobs, supports public health and safety, employs a diverse workforce, invests in their staff and their communities, and provides consumers with safe, legal options to buy and consume cannabis.
Our efforts are advised by Portland’s Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT); they provide insights and advise on the development and adoption of policies to deliver diversity, equity, accessibility, and sustainability to the cannabis industry. Find out more about CPOT.
Cannabis Program Staff
Christina Coursey, Interim Cannabis Program Manager
Christina.Coursey@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-6253
Akil Patterson, SEED Initiatives Coordinator
Akil.Patterson@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-2770
Nate Werner, Lead Compliance Specialist
Nathaniel.Werner@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-6587
Jason Coulter, Compliance Specialist
Jason.Coulter@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-8272
Joey Polanco, Licensing & Compliance Support Specialist
Joseph.Polanco@portlandoregon.gov; 503-865-6687
Michelle Hansberry, Technology Lead
Michelle.Hansberry@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-8721
Phil Keim, Policy Coordinator
Phil.Keim@portlandoregon.gov; 503-865-6997
Nicole Taylor, Administrative Coordinator
Nicole.Taylor@portlandoregon.gov; 503-823-6475
Office Hours and Location
8am to 5pm, Monday – Friday
1120 SW 5th Ave, Suite 114, Portland, OR 97204; Note: the office is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19.
Call us 503-823-9333 or send an email to cannabis@portlandoregon.gov
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Cannabis Program Fact Sheet
Promote the Common Good: Civic Life is building stronger communities by supporting and empowering Portlanders. We think, act, and partner with our communities to better understand and take care of their diverse needs. We invite you to join us in this continuous, much needed work to make our communities safer and more welcoming for all.