SALEM — Oregon regulators will allow medical marijuana to be delivered to patients who live in areas of the state where licensed marijuana activity is prohibited.

The Statesman Journal reports the rules approved last week by the state Liquor Control Commission go into effect Dec. 28.

Commission spokesman Mark Pettinger says advocates and patients had voiced concerns about rules that limited access to medical marijuana. In some cases, caregivers had to travel outside restricted areas to buy medical marijuana.

The commission has also increased the amount of marijuana cardholders can buy during a single shopping trip to 8 ounces (227 kilograms).

Officials had limited the amount to 1 ounce (28 grams) in August on suspicion that marijuana was being purchased for illegal means.

-- The Associated Press