Oregon Agencies Dive into Rulemaking Impacting Hemp Market Access & Licensing Requirements
- AgHS
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
As Oregon’s hemp industry continues to evolve, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) are diving into major rulemaking efforts that will directly impact all hemp licensees and businesses operating in the Oregon market.
These are critical opportunities for stakeholders to influence regulations that will shape compliance standards, market access, and the future of hemp production and product sales in the state.
OLCC Public Hearing on Hemp Product Registry — October 15:
The long-awaited OLCC Hemp Product Registry proposed rules are now public.
In May, the OLCC convened a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) where stakeholders raised serious concerns about the costs, compliance burdens, and market impacts of the initial draft rules. Despite industry feedback, OLCC has now advanced the proposal for public comment and hearing.
In September, OLCC issued a Hemp Product Registry Educational Bulletin indicating that:
The new Hemp Product Registry rules will take effect January 1, 2026.
OLCC will begin accepting registration applications at that time.
The agency has also stated that it will “generally not take compliance actions related to the hemp registry until June 1, 2026.”
The Public Hearing on these proposed rules is scheduled for: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 🕑2:00 PM PST
If you manufacture, distribute, or sell hemp products in Oregon, this hearing is an essential opportunity to submit comments and raise any concerns about how these rules could affect your business operations or access to the Oregon market.
Written public comments will be accepted until October 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
Access the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Proposed Rules here. For more details about the public hearing and how to provide testimony, visit our blog post on the OLCC Hemp Product Registry Rulemaking.
ODA Hemp Program Rulemaking & RAC — October 16:
Just one day after OLCC’s hearing, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) will hold a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting focused on “miscellaneous hemp rule updates.”
Thursday, October 16, 2025🕘 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PST
This rulemaking follows a year of increased compliance inspections across all ODA hemp licensees. The agency has been actively issuing violations for non-compliance, signaling a heightened enforcement posture for 2025 and beyond.
This upcoming ODA meeting is a vital opportunity to shape program rules that could significantly affect licensing requirements, testing standards, and compliance expectations.
While the proposed draft rules are not yet publicly available, ODA is expected to release them shortly. Once published, AgHS will provide an update and direct access to the draft language.
For more details on how to participate in or listen to the RAC meeting, click here.
Why This Matters:
Both rulemakings have the potential to tighten compliance requirements and reshape how hemp businesses operate in Oregon. The combined impact of ODA and OLCC rule updates could affect:
Product registration and labeling requirements
Licensing and renewal processes
Distribution and retail access for hemp-derived products
Testing, traceability, and reporting standards
Now is the time for Oregon’s hemp stakeholders to stay informed, engage, and make their voices heard in shaping the future of the state’s hemp regulatory framework. These rulemakings present YOUR opportunity to influence and revise proposed program rules that expose your operations to compliance risks and impede market access. ODA, in coordination with OLCC, has increased compliance inspections on all program licensees and is actively enforcing program rules, issuing violations for non-compliance. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a positive and significant impact!
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