The City of Portland supports Social and Racial Equity and understands the need for a statewide Cannabis Social Equity Framework. On February 3, 2020 the Cannabis Program provided written and public testimony in support, with amendments, of HB 4088 a statewide social equity framework for cannabis licensing and reinvestments of tax revenue, a House Bill introduced earlier this month by Representative Fahey.

Civic Life’s Bureau Director, Suk Rhee, wrote “ As part of the City’s stakeholder engagement process, we have learned that a comprehensive framework must extend beyond  cannabis business licensing and include institutional policy change and reinvestment in communities and individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of cannabis…”

Cannabis Program Licensing Coordinator, Christina Coursey, provided public testimony respectfully encouraging the State to develop a more comprehensive, robust social equity framework that also included additional reductions to support small cannabis businesses. “The essence of small, local, Oregon craft cannabis businesses is quickly diminishing to larger corporations in Canada, California, New York, and Florida…”

 If you would like to view the full written and  public testimonies the links can be found below. 

Public Testimonies 

Civic Life's Written Testimony