PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is cracking down on businesses that serve alcohol and marijuana to customers under the age of 21.
The agency’s Minor Decoy Operations help the OLCC determine which retailers are abiding by state laws.
“Our licensees need to comply with the laws and rules pertaining to mixing, serving, selling and delivery of alcohol, and MDO activity is a reminder of that obligation,” OLCC Director of Alcohol Compliance Andy Jurik said.
According to officials, the commission temporarily stopped the operations for more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. The OLCC noted “significant declines” in compliance during that same period, but reported that cannabis and alcohol licensees have made progress since MDOs began again in September 2022.
Dispensaries were compliant during 80% of checks in 2022, and have since grown to 92% compliance this year.
Alcohol licensees were compliant during 71% of checks in 2022, but compliance has increased to 80% at this point of 2024. However, the agency claimed alcohol retailers haven’t been consistent with identification checks — and the OLCC’s goal is 90% compliance.
“It’s important for our licensees to make sure that they and their employees have good protocols in place for checking IDs to prevent minors from buying. There’s also age verification equipment they can install that will cost less than a fine or license suspension,” Jurik said.
The agency is expanding MDOs to include at-home alcohol deliveries, as well. The commission previously revealed 35% of alcohol deliveries using third-party apps weren’t compliant, meaning that drivers conducted a no-contact delivery, improperly checked an ID, or failed to check an ID altogether.
Companies are now required to obtain a Third-Party Delivery Facilitator Permit to deliver alcohol, and to train drivers on proper ID checks.