Although Tel-Law information is periodically reviewed, it is important for you to realize that changes may occur in this area of law. This information is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem, and it is not intended to replace the work of an attorney.

If you do not have an attorney, the Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service can help you. Online Lawyer Referral Service information and a fill-in form is available. Or you may contact the service by phone: The number to call from the Portland area is 503-684-3763 or toll-free from anywhere else in Oregon, 1-800-452-7636.

The following information regarding marijuana law is brought to you as a public service by the lawyers of the State of Oregon and Oregon's Victims' Compensation Program. The material presented is general legal information intended to alert you to possible legal problems and solutions.

It is illegal in Oregon to possess, manufacture, deliver, grow, or cultivate marijuana. Knowingly maintaining or visiting a place where people are using, storing, or selling any amount of marijuana is also illegal.

Oregon criminal law defines marijuana as all parts of the marijuana plant, whether growing or not, the resin from any part of the plant, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the plant or its resin. This includes hashish and seeds that can germinate. Mature stalks of the plant are not included in the definition.

Penalties for marijuana offenses depend on the amount of marijuana involved and which acts are committed. Marijuana is measured in either grams or ounces. There are 28 grams in an ounce.

Although Oregon has not legalized marijuana, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is punishable only by a fine of $500 up to a maximum of $1000. This is not a criminal conviction. Possession of one ounce or more of marijuana is a Class B felony, punishable by a maximum ten year prison sentence and a $100,000 fine. If you are convicted of possessing more than an ounce of marijuana, and you have not been convicted of a drug offense before, you may ask for a "conditional discharge." This means the judge will place you on probation for up to five years with the understanding that if you obey all the terms and conditions of your probation, the charges will be dismissed at the end of the probationary period. If the charges are dismissed, you may truthfully say that you were never convicted of that charge.

Oregon law defines "delivery" as the "actual or attempted transfer" of marijuana. The definition also includes possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver it, whether or not there is any consideration for the transfer. "Consideration" is any item of value, such as money. Selling marijuana or even giving it away can have serious consequences. The law is different between giving away marijuana and selling it.

Delivery of less than five grams of marijuana for nothing in return is a violation punishable by a fine of $500 up to a maximum of $1000. Again, this is not considered a criminal conviction. Delivery of at least five grams but less than one ounce, for nothing in return, is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Delivery of any amount of marijuana for payment or other consideration is a Class B Felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. In other words, if you sell even a very small amount of marijuana, it is a serious felony.

If you are over 17-years-old and deliver any amount of marijuana to a minor who is at least three years younger than you (whether or not you receive something for it), you committed a Class A felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $100,000 fine. There also are stronger penalties for the delivery or possession of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

Manufacturing any amount of marijuana is a very serious offense. "Manufacturing" means growing even one plant and packaging, repackaging, labeling or relabeling marijuana. Manufacturing marijuana is a Class A felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Finally, knowingly maintaining, visiting or even staying at a place where people are using, storing, or selling marijuana is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. However, if the amount of marijuana is one ounce or less, and it is just kept or used on the premises, the fine is $100. This too, is not a criminal conviction.

The actual amount of time you may be sentenced for a felony offense is determined by the Felony Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines consider the severity of the conduct and the person's criminal history.

In addition to fines and jail sentences, your driver's license could be suspended for possession, delivery or manufacture of marijuana. If you used a vehicle (car or boat) to transport or hide any amount of marijuana over an ounce, the vehicle may be taken away. Also, your property can be taken away if you know that it is being used to store, sell, or grow more than one ounce of marijuana. It also may be taken away if you bought it from marijuana sales.

In a recent change in the law, a person who has a registry identification card issued by the Oregon Health Division and that person's designated caregiver may possess and grow small amounts of marijuana for medicinal purposes. You may get a registry identification card after completing the application process if your attending physician has documented in writing that you have been diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, and that the medical use of marijuana may ease the symptoms or effects of that condition. Possession of a registry identification card does not allow you or the caregiver to drive while under the influence of marijuana, to use marijuana in public, or to deliver any amount of marijuana for any consideration. If you do not have a registry identification card, you may still have a defense to criminal charges if you can prove that the marijuana is for medical use, that you would qualify for a card, and that the amount of marijuana involved was within the limits of the law. In some cases involving possession or manufacture of larger amounts, the conduct may be justified if it can be proven that it is medically necessary. This is a new and very complex change in the law. For more information, contact the Oregon Health Division (503) 731-8310.

This information is from the Oregon State Bar's Tel-law service, a collection of recorded legal information messages prepared by the lawyers of Oregon. In addition to being online, the Tel-law service is accessible by telephone at 503-620-3000 or toll-free in Oregon only, 1-800-452-4776. A touch tone phone allows direct access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To receive a free Tel-law brochure listing the subjects available call 503-620-0222, ext. 0.