The Oregon Medical Marijuana Business Conference (OMMBC) is just over a month away. Attendees will get the latest info on both medical marijuana regulations and upcoming recreational regulations as the conference bridges the gap between the two Oregon systems. This is the fourth OMMBC, tickets are still available, but you should get them soon as the previous events in Ashland and Eugene sold out. While the OMMBC organizers (full disclosure: I’m one of them) have hosted an International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Portland, this is the first time that the OMMBC has ventured into the cannabis-friendly Rose City. I am greatly looking forward to the event as I love helping the cannabis community network and brainstorming with advocates about how we can keep improving our marijuana laws.

With the passage of Measure 91 last November, House Bill 3400 that altered both Measure 91 and the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and Senate Bill 460, the landmark October 1st “early start” to recreational sales, there are new cannabis laws to brush up on for experienced marijuana industry entrepreneurs, let alone new business people looking to enter the market. Additionally, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) Rules Advisory Committee and subcommittee meetings are advising the OLCC on rules and regulations that will be finalized in a couple of months. Throw in the local zoning ordinances and outright bans, and it is clear that anyone in the industry, or thinking of joining the industry, would be wise to hear from cannabis industry lawyers and experts to learn the ins and outs of the Oregon marijuana industry landscape as well as information that will help any business, such as branding, employment law and how the media, both mainstream and alternative, covers stories.

For even the most experienced cannabis industry professional, I think that tax attorney Henry Wykowski may be the most important speaker at the conference. Wykowski is the foremost expert on cannabis 280e issues as his cases have established what the cannabis industry can and cannot deduct from federal taxes. Since the federal landscape regarding taxation should change, Congressman Earl Blumenauer will discuss his important work in Congress and how we can help him help us. Longtime cannabis attorneys Paul Loney and Leland Berger will be on hand to answer questions about local marijuana laws and regulations, including those pesky city councils and county commissions in locales that may not be as cannabis-friendly as Portland. Since politics must be your business if marijuana is your industry, the insight from Representative Ann Lininger and Senator Floyd Prozanski will be invaluable as they will discuss legislative changes and give us a glimpse into the future of cannabis legislation, along with some tips into how we can help them develop sensible marijuana laws that are effective for the entire state.

All of us organizing the OMMBC see a booming future for the Oregon marijuana industry as we follow in the footsteps of Oregon microbrewery and winery industries. However, we are all activists at heart and understand that keeping people out of prison for marijuana is our number one goal. Thus, we are honored to have Judge Jim Gray, a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) and former (and likely future) Libertarian Party vice-presidential candidate. A former criminal defense attorney, California Superior Court Judge and federal prosecutor, Judge Gray has been on all sides of the issue, including the industry as he is now a board member of Cannabis Sativa, Inc. Judge Gray has been one of our most effective Drug War reform advocates for more than three decades and we can all learn a lot from him as we move forward as an industry and as a movement.

In addition to all of the great information about the industry and activism, the OMMBC always provides great networking events and is just plain fun. I hope that you won’t miss this opportunity to join us at the OMMBC as we help take the Oregon marijuana industry into the future in a way that benefits all Oregonians and provides a model for the rest of the country to follow.

Anthony Johnson

Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.