Oregon is once again trying to legalize cannabis cafes, a concept the state has struggled to implement despite its long history with legal marijuana. A newly proposed ballot initiative, titled “The Amendment for the Licensing and Operation of Cannabis Cafes,” aims to establish licensed venues where customers can legally consume cannabis on-site while enjoying food and non-alcoholic beverages. If successful, it would mark a major shift in Oregon’s cannabis landscape, which currently only permits consumption on private property.
Although Oregon was one of the early states to legalize recreational cannabis in 2014, the push for social consumption spaces has repeatedly failed. Even before full legalization, Oregon’s medical cannabis days saw attempts to create safe spaces for consumption, but legal roadblocks always seemed to stand in the way. The most notable example was the Northwest Cannabis Club, a private membership-based lounge that operated in Portland for years. It was one of the few places where cannabis consumers could gather socially, but unfortunately, it shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the city without any dedicated cannabis-friendly spaces.
Under this new proposal, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) would oversee licensing cannabis cafes, with local jurisdictions having control over factors like location, size, and operating hours. If passed, the measure could be on the state’s November 2026 ballot, and organizers are currently working to gather the required signatures to move it forward.
Advocates argue that cannabis cafes would create a safe and legal environment for consumption, boost tourism, and open up new economic opportunities in the state. The proposal specifies that smoking and vaping would only be allowed in designated areas equipped with high-efficiency ventilation systems to prevent smoke from affecting non-smoking or food preparation spaces.
If approved, businesses could start applying for licenses within six months of the law’s enactment, with cafes expected to open roughly 18 months later. The initiative is being led by the Oregon Cannabis Cafe Coalition, a Portland-based group dedicated to legalizing on-site consumption spaces. The coalition is actively hosting events to spread awareness and build support for the ballot measure.
Unlike bars, these cannabis cafes would not be allowed to serve alcohol, and tobacco use would also be prohibited—meaning no blunts or spliffs. Additionally, cafes would be required to have security on-site and collaborate with law enforcement to prevent impaired driving.
Despite Oregon’s reputation as a trailblazer in the cannabis industry, other states have moved ahead in allowing on-site consumption, leaving advocates frustrated that Oregon has fallen behind. Some cities briefly experimented with hemp-focused lounges, such as Hemp Bar in Portland, which operated from 2021 to 2023 but was limited to low-THC products. Now, with this new push, advocates hope to finally bring fully licensed cannabis cafes to the state and give consumers the social spaces they’ve long been asking for.
