(1) The Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Grant Program is established to assist cities and counties with the costs incurred by local law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations in addressing unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations.
(2) The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission shall administer the grant program described in subsection (1) of this section and shall award the grants described in this section.
(3) The commission may adopt rules to administer the grant program, including:
(a) A methodology for reviewing and approving grant applications and awarding grants;
(b) A process for distributing any unallocated funds;
(c) A process for evaluating the efficacy of programs and services funded by the grant program;
(d) Provisions related to requests by grant recipients to adjust their grant awards; and
(e) Provisions related to partnerships or collaborations between applicants.
(4) Moneys distributed to grant recipients under this section must be spent on costs associated with addressing and prosecuting unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations.
(5) The commission shall prioritize the following when awarding grants under this section:
(a) Providing financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys in rural areas of this state to address unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations;
(b) Supporting local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys in investigating and prosecuting large-scale unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations;
(c) Providing financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime involved in unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations;
(d) Providing financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies and district attorneys in the investigation and prosecution of unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations that divert marijuana outside of this state; and
(e) Providing financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations in order to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis associated with unlawful marijuana cultivation or distribution operations and to facilitate connections to any necessary assistance and services for individuals impacted by the humanitarian crisis, including but not limited to language translation services and housing and legal assistance. [2018 c.103 §13; 2021 s.s.2 c.3 §1; 2022 c.117 §7; 2025 c.557 §26]
Note: The amendments to 475C.531 by section 26, chapter 557, Oregon Laws 2025, become operative July 1, 2026, and apply to grants that the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission first advertises or otherwise solicits on or after July 1, 2026. See sections 50 and 51, chapter 557, Oregon Laws 2025. The text that is operative until July 1, 2026, is set forth for the user’s convenience.