(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 shall adopt rules to administer the grant program. Rules adopted under this section must include:

(a) A methodology for reviewing and approving grant applications and awarding grants; and

(b) A process for evaluating the efficacy of local law enforcement programs and services funded by the grant program.

(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]