(Photo credit: Brian Breneman).

Oregon regulators have begun a rulemaking process that could eventually result in the state reopening applications for new marijuana wholesale licenses.

The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) says it is forming a Rules Advisory Committee as part of a permanent rulemaking process focused specifically on lifting the marijuana wholesale license moratorium. Applications to serve on the committee are being accepted through 5 p.m. today, August 28.

The process does not immediately reopen licensing. Oregon is currently not accepting new applications for marijuana producer, processor, wholesaler or retailer licenses.

The restrictions stem from House Bill 4121, which established population-based limits on the number of marijuana businesses allowed in the state.

Under the law, the OLCC generally cannot accept a new wholesale license application when Oregon has more than one active wholesale license for every 12,500 residents age 21 or older. The same threshold applies to processor licenses, while producer and retailer licenses are limited to one for every 7,500 adults.

The current rulemaking effort is focused only on the wholesale license moratorium, rather than reopening applications across all license categories.

Rules Advisory Committees allow industry representatives and other interested parties to provide feedback as the OLCC develops proposed regulations. Any eventual rule changes would still need to move through the state’s formal rulemaking process before taking effect.

For now, applications for new marijuana wholesale licenses remain closed.