Oregon Senate approves medical marijuana fee hike

SALEM, Ore.

The Oregon Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that doubles the cost of a medical marijuana card.

Senators approved the budget for the Oregon Health Authority, which relies on an additional $7 million from the medical marijuana program to subsidize other public health services.

The plan doubles the price of a medical marijuana card to $200 per year. It also imposes a new annual of $200 on growers who are not currently cardholders, and it reduces the number of people eligible for reduced-price cards.

Only patients who receive Supplemental Security Income will be eligible for a discounted $20 card. People on food stamps and the Oregon Health plan would be no-longer eligible for the discount.

Medical marijuana advocates denounced the hike. The bill now heads to the House.