Accept 2023 Annual Cannabis Policy Report by the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team
The Cannabis Policy Oversight Team’s (CPOT) 2023 Annual Cannabis Policy Report is attached as Exhibit A. Portland Permitting & Development’s Cannabis Program staff ask the City Council to accept this report. The report exhibits the work completed by volunteer members of the Portland community who care deeply about issues related to the regulated cannabis industry. This document is a testament to the diversity of opinions, experiences, and priorities for Portlanders who are stakeholders in cannabis. Cannabis licensees, workers, consumers and advocates, parents and people who work with youth, law enforcement professionals, researchers, and public health experts contributed their time and energy to meetings and worked collaboratively to share their perspectives. Some of the problems highlighted in this report are unique to cannabis, while others reflect broader issues in our community.
Cannabis businesses continue to be a target for criminal activity, and public safety remains a priority for many Portlanders who want to see improvements to how governments and their partners work to keep the community safe. Economic sustainability and growth are a common interest for Portlanders; the newly regulated cannabis industry is seen as an innovative and evolving business, and there is a strong desire for Portland to stand out as a leader. Community members are interested in civic engagement, and we see this in the dedication to our work as an advisory body and the ambition of CPOT members to see this body influence decisions and provide transparency on Recreational Cannabis Tax from the City and State.
In addition to these three priority areas, the 2023 Annual Cannabis Policy Report requests the Cannabis Program continue our partnerships with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, Multnomah County, and others. While the cannabis industry continues to evolve, this report provides a documentation of ongoing issues and proposed solutions generated by key stakeholders who desire refinements to regulations, program support, and advocacy.
Official Record (Efiles)
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
Housed within Portland Permitting & Development, the Cannabis Program oversees the work of the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team (CPOT), a public advisory body that provides recommendations on cannabis policy to the bureau director. The 2023 Annual Cannabis Policy Report highlights challenges faced by the cannabis industry and surrounding community and proposes solutions to those issues. CPOT, in collaboration with specially formed subcommittees, provided recommendations found within this annual report which were researched, drafted, and formally adopted by the advisory body’s voting members. Key findings found within the report are being presented by Cannabis Program staff.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There are no financial or budgetary impacts associated with this legislation.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Not applicable
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
While presentation and acceptance of this report is a formality afforded to other advisory bodies, CPOT is uniquely critical as it serves as the City’s advisory body on an evolving and newly regulated market. In 2023, the advisory body held 14 public meetings over Zoom and dozens more meetings of their subcommittees which focused on priority issues of Community Impact, Local Business, and Safety.
Members of the CPOT advisory body consisted of a representative from Multnomah County Public Health, cannabis business owners, current and former cannabis industry workers, legal professionals, business consultants, and community members, advocating on behalf of the interests of consumers and parents. The subcommittees brought in even more diverse and expert voices: the Safety subcommittee featured a representative of the Portland Police Bureau, a private security consultant, and a local artist and worker safety advocate. The Local Business Subcommittee featured support from Prosper Portland and cannabis workers from unique backgrounds. The Community Impact Subcommittee included public health workers and parents concerned with the impact of cannabis on teens and young adults. Each of these subcommittees also featured invited guests, like researchers from Oregon State University, Portland State University, and experts from the City and Portland Public Schools. The collaborative nature of this advisory body is illustrated in the diverse recommendations found within this report.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable
Financial and Budget Analysis
There are no fiscal impacts associated with this legislation