ORS 475.969 Unlawful possession of phosphorus

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of phosphorus if the person knowingly possesses any amount of phosphorus.

Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

A person who is conducting a licensed business that involves phosphorus in the manufacture of:

The striking surface used for lighting matches;

Flame retardant polymers; or

Fireworks if the person possesses a federal license to manufacture explosives;

A person who possesses phosphorus in conjunction with experiments conducted in a chemistry or chemistry related laboratory maintained by a:

Regularly established public or private secondary school; or

Public or private institution of higher education that is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education;

A retail distributor, wholesaler, manufacturer, warehouseman or common carrier or an agent of any of these persons, who possesses phosphorus in the regular course of lawful business activities;

The possession of phosphorus as a component of a commercially produced product including, but not limited to, matchbooks, fireworks and emergency flares; or

A person who possesses phosphorus in a chemical compound in the regular course of a lawful agricultural activity.

Unlawful possession of phosphorus is a Class A misdemeanor.