Audit says Oregon marijuana regulators fail to meet basic standards

Just Released! Get realistic market forecasts, state-by-state insights and benchmarks with the new 2024 MJBiz Factbook member program, now with quarterly updates. Make informed decisions.


A new audit released by the Oregon Secretary of State examined the state’s regulation of the cannabis market and concluded that regulators are coming up short in a number of areas.

The audit is the first detailed look at cannabis regulation in Oregon since voters approved the legalization of adult-use marijuana in 2014, the Oregonian reported.

Some of the audit’s conclusions that will be of particular interest to marijuana companies in Oregon include:
  • The state cannabis program failed to keep up with mandatory inspections.
  • Regulators have not done enough to address diversion into the black market.
  • The program’s pesticide testing system was found to be inadequate, and the state does not have a way to verify the accuracy of test results.

According to The Oregonian, auditors concluded regulators have failed to meet basic standards, such as inspections. It found that just 3% of retailers had been inspected and only about a third of growers.

The audit also noted that while the state requires certain pesticide tests for recreational cannabis, testing isn’t required for most medical marijuana.

Associated Press