ORS Chapter 475c — Cannabis Regulation

ORS 475c.317. Prohibition against person under 21 years of age possessing, attempting to purchase or purchasing marijuana item; penalty. (1)(a) A person under 21 years of age may not possess, attempt to purchase or purchase a marijuana item. (b) For purposes of this subsection, purchasing a marijuana item includes accepting a marijuana item, and possessing a marijuana item includes consuming a marijuana item, provided that the consumption of the marijuana item occurred no more than 24 hours before the determination that the person consumed the marijuana item. (2) Except as authorized by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission by rule, or as necessary in an emergency, a person under 21 years of age may not enter or attempt to enter any portion of a premises that is posted or otherwise identified as being prohibited to the use of persons under 21 years of age. (3)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a person who violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section commits a Class B violation. (b) A person commits a Class A violation if the person violates subsection (1) of this section by reason of possessing a marijuana item while the person is operating a motor vehicle as defined in ORS 801.360. (4) In addition to and not in lieu of any other penalty established by law: (a) The court may require a person who violates subsection (1) of this section through misrepresentation of age to perform community service; and (b) The court shall order that, when a person violates subsection (1) of this section, the persons driving privileges and right to apply for driving privileges be suspended pursuant to ORS 809.260 and 809.280. The court notification made to the Department of Transportation under this paragraph may include a recommendation that the person be granted a hardship permit under ORS 807.240 if the person is otherwise eligible for the permit. (5) If a person cited under this section is at least 13 years of age but less than 21 years of age at the time the person is found in default under ORS 153.102 or 419C.472 for failure to appear, in addition to and not in lieu of any other penalty established by law, the court shall issue notice under ORS 809.220 to the department for the department to suspend the persons driving privileges under ORS 809.280 (4). (6) In addition to and not in lieu of any penalty established by law, the court may order a person who violates this section to undergo assessment and treatment. The court shall order a person to undergo assessment and treatment if the person has previously been found to have violated this section. (7) The prohibitions of this section do not apply to a person under 21 years of age who is acting under the direction of the commission or under the direction of state or local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of investigating possible violations of laws prohibiting sales of marijuana items to persons who are under 21 years of age. (8) The prohibitions of this section do not apply to a person under 21 years of age who is acting under the direction of a licensee for the purpose of investigating possible violations by employees of the licensee of laws prohibiting sales of marijuana items to persons who are under 21 years of age. (9)(a) A person under 21 years of age is not in violation of, and is immune from prosecution under, this section if: (A) The person contacted emergency medical services or a law enforcement agency in order to obtain medical assistance for another person who was in need of medical assistance because that person consumed a marijuana item and the evidence of the violation was obtained as a result of the persons having contacted emergency medical services or a law enforcement agency; or (B) The person was in need of medical assistance because the person consumed a marijuana item and the evidence of the violation was obtained as a result of the persons having sought or obtained the medical assistance. (b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection does not exclude the use of evidence obtained as a result of a persons having sought medical assistance in proceedings for crimes or offenses other than a violation of this section. [Formerly 475B.316]