Funds for Oregon Legal Marijuana Rules Approved

Oregon lawmakers have approved nearly $600,000 so the Liquor Control Commission can begin making rules for legal marijuana.

The Legislature’s Emergency Board approved the funding on Wednesday.

The move will allow the commission to hire four workers: a program manager, two policy analysts and a public affairs staffer. One state estimate said regulating recreational marijuana would eventually require up to 30 workers.

Taxes collected on marijuana sales are expected eventually to cover the regulatory costs. The money approved Wednesday will come from liquor sales and must eventually be paid back with interest once marijuana sales start generating taxes.

The measure voters approved last month makes personal possession and home grown pot legal as of July 1. But the commercial sales the rules will govern aren’t expected to begin until 2016.