Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has introduced an ordinance that would eliminate outdated restrictions on marijuana drive-through and walk-up sales while revising licensing payment requirements for cannabis businesses. The proposal is scheduled for consideration by the City Council’s City Life Committee today, November 10.
The measure, Ordinance 2026-407, would amend Chapter 14B.130 of the Portland City Code, which establishes licensing requirements and operating standards for marijuana businesses. The changes would bring local regulations into alignment with existing state rules while addressing problems identified in the city’s deferred licensing payment program.
One of the changes involves removing language that prohibits marijuana retailers from selling products through drive-through facilities and walk-up windows. Although the restriction remains in Portland’s municipal code, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) began allowing curbside pickup and on-site delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, making those allowances permanent later that year.
Under the proposal, marijuana retailers would no longer face the outdated city prohibition on using drive-through or walk-up windows already incorporated into their buildings. The change would not eliminate existing restrictions on selling marijuana from temporary structures, vendor carts or satellite locations.
The ordinance would also formally update Portland’s Deferred Payment Program, which allows marijuana businesses to spread their annual licensing fees over several months rather than paying the entire amount upfront.
According to a presentation prepared for today’s committee meeting, Portland’s annual marijuana business licensing fee currently stands at $3,970. The proposal would incorporate a requirement that businesses participating in the deferred payment program make an initial payment equal to 50% of their annual license fee, or $1,985 at the current rate, with the remaining balance due within six months.
City officials say approximately 31% of marijuana licensees participate in the program, which was established in 2018 to reduce financial barriers for smaller businesses and individuals affected by marijuana prohibition.
However, the city’s Cannabis Program reports that a significant number of participating businesses have failed to pay their remaining balances after the deferral period expires, creating additional administrative and collection expenses. Officials say the higher initial payment requirement is intended to reduce those problems while preserving the program for businesses experiencing financial challenges.
Additional changes would update late-payment requirements, eliminate a second late fee previously assessed after 60 days and remove fixed licensing fee amounts from the municipal code. Future fee adjustments would instead be reflected in schedules approved by the City Council, eliminating the need for separate code amendments whenever those amounts change.
The city says the payment changes were communicated to marijuana businesses through newsletters distributed in June and July, with implementation beginning in August. The ordinance would formally incorporate those existing practices into city law.
The ordinance was introduced by Mayor Wilson and referred to the City Life Committee, which is scheduled to consider it during its 2 p.m. meeting today.
