Oregon tweaks cannabis laws to put limits on production, set stage for exports

CRESWELL, Ore. - Trent Hancock wants to expand his operation growing legal cannabis, but it's not easy.

The co-owner of Creswell Oreganics said the biggest pot problem in Oregon these days is overproduction.

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The crash on prices prompted the legislature to pass a law giving the state more leeway to stop issuing new licenses to cannabis growers.

"I think it's going to be really good for the entire industry here in Oregon," Hancock said. "We had an over-supply that happened from them not having the authority to limit production licenses."

Oregon state Sen. Floyd Prozanski said the bill corrects what the legislature would have done when initially setting up the program.

"It will in fact allow for a check and balance on the amount of production that's occurring in the state," he said. "Hopefully that will allow for things to equal out."

Hancock couldn't agree more.

"I think that the most important thing to deal with right now is to allow who's here to compete for quality at this point," he said.

A second bill prepares Oregon to export cannabis to other states.

"Of course it will be subject to change from federal law but hopefully it will kind of be used as a playbook and put us on the front of that conversation," Hancock said.

"We will position ourselves to be able to provide product to many states that do not have the capacity for growing marijuana," Prozanski said.