Phil Bentley, Ted Ferrioli

Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, seen her speaking on the Senate floor, this week proposed that recreational marijuana sales temporarily start on July 1 in medical marijuana dispensaries.

(Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian )

SALEM -- A proposal by the Senate's top Republican to begin recreational sales in Oregon on July 1 has attracted a lot of interest, but there appears to be daunting issues that would prevent it from becoming reality.

"The concept is good," said Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, co-chair of the Legislature's marijuana committee, "but practically speaking there are obvious issues."

Senate Minority Leader Ted Ferrioli, R-John Day, earlier this week proposed that recreational sales start in medical marijuana dispensaries when possession becomes legal on July 1.

"One of the problems we have is that on July 1, Oregonians will be able to possess, grow and gift marijuana...but they won't be able to legally buy it," Ferrioli said in an interview Wednesday. The EO Media Group/Pamplin Media Group Capital Bureau first reported on his plan, aimed at speeding retail sales that may not start until late 2016.

The idea quickly attracted interest, particularly among many of the marijuana advocates who helped persuade Oregonians to pass the Measure 91 marijuana legalization measure last November.

"I do think it makes a lot of sense," said Anthony Johnson, the chief sponsor of Measure 91. He said it would allow the state to begin collecting tax revenue and provide a legal way for recreational users to buy the drug.

However, Rep. Ann Lininger, D-Lake Oswego, who co-chairs the marijuana committee with Burdick, said there are a number of issues standing in the way.

Lininger said it would provide a sudden bump in sales at medical marijuana dispensaries that would disrupt that market. It would also interfere with efforts by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to have a careful roll-out of recreational marijuana sales aimed at avoiding some of the problems seen in other states.

The OLCC has not yet developed rules on a wide variety of issues, including such things as regulating the dosages and packaging of edible marijuana and setting up a system of taxation.

Ferrioli's proposal would also have to win a majority vote in both houses of the Legislature and be signed by the governor since it modifies Measure 91.

"It's an interesting reversal of roles that Sen. Ferrioli is pushing for marijuana to be more available on July 1," Lininger added, "and I, who campaigned for Measure 91, have more reservations."

Ferrioli's eastern Oregon district largely voted against marijuana legalization, and he's previously noted that many of the communities he represents would prefer not to have marijuana sales outlets at all.

Ferrioli said Wednesday that after listening to weeks of testimony, he's become more concerned that the state needs to move quicker to provide an alternative to the black market once marijuana becomes legal on July 1. He noted that the federal Department of Justice has told states legalizing marijuana that they need to work to curb the black market.

In addition, Ferrioli said last week that his confidence in the liquor commission "in their ability to administer this program is rapidly diminishing."

In his latest proposal, Ferrioli said recreational pot sales would eventually migrate to OLCC-licensed facilities once the agency finished its work. OLCC Chairman Rob Patridge has said he expects retail sales to start in late 2016.

Tom Towslee, an OLCC spokesman, said he didn't have any comment on the merits of the proposal.

"It's not our issue," Towslee said. "We don't regulate medical marijuana and [Ferrioli's proposal] is not part of Measure 91, which is all we're focused on right now."

Burdick said the committee will hold a hearing on Ferrioli's proposal but said she wasn't sure when it would be scheduled. The idea is "getting a lot of attention," she said, adding, "We may not be able to pull it off."

Oregon would not be alone in having a lag between when possession becomes legal and retail sales start.

Washington and Colorado adults were allowed to possess marijuana just weeks after voters approved legalization in November of 2012. But retail sales didn't start until January of 2014 in Colorado and until July of that year in Washington.

In Washington, D.C., voters last year allowed adults to possess and grow small amounts of marijuana but Congress has stopped the city from proceeding with retail sales. Marijuana advocates there are distributing marijuana seeds and encouraging city residents to grow their own.

--Jeff Mapes

503-221-8209

@Jeffmapes