No bones about it, 2018 was a rough one for the marijuana industry. Wholesale prices for marijuana plummeted and we saw the Oregon Liquor Control Commission halt new-license application processing in June, with no certainty if or when new licensees will get the chance to enter the market. Finally, we witnessed an anti-marijuana zealot elected […]
OLCC
Posted inFood & Drink
Wedding Libations
From open bars to no-host, options abound for reception drinking
So, you’ve decided to tie the knot and need to figure out how you’re going to wet your guests’ whistles during the reception? Depending on your venue, there are options. Those who have an unlimited budget may choose to use an open bar—basically a free-for-all for guests, and maybe a way to have the reception […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Whiskey and Bourbon Winners Announced
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission‘s second public drawing for rare and limited-edition liquors concluded with 7,663 entries for the opportunity to purchase a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle and the Buffalo Trace Distillery Antique Collection. Entrants were allowed a single entry for each of the 11 products, with no one winning more than one. Bendite Mathew […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Oregon Whiskey Hunting
Rare bottles become more attainable to Oregonians than ever before
Mostly wood flavors with hints of caramel, ripe apples, cherries, tobacco and chocolate to start and a long-lasting finish of sweet caramel. That may be as close as you ever get to tasting a 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle‘s Family Reserve Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Production is very low for the beloved spirit; Oregon received three […]
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Tokin’ Times
The latest in cannabis news
The overproduction myth What do Iowa corn, Idaho potatoes and Kentucky tobacco have in common with Oregon marijuana? All are home-grown natural resources that the residents of the states from which the crops originate could not possibly consume all by their lonesome. Yet, here in Oregon, where our crop arguably has as much or more […]
Posted inNews
News Updates
The latest in Deschutes County marijuana news
For a brief, shining moment in Deschutes County (and beyond), progressives, pro-cannabis activists and marijuana business owners felt the rudder of progress was slowly steering in the direction of sanity. Unfortunately, with all the force of an angry Brett Kavanaugh snort, those dreams have taken a hit over the past few months. Here’s a brief […]
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OLCC to Growers: “I Like to Watch
This month, a new rule went into effect for licensed outdoor cannabis growers. It’s the first of its kind in the nation, and is in direct response to the pressure from the feds, starting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions. To what degree it will alleviate the concerns of Sessions and Oregon U.S. Attorney Billy J. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
First Ladies of Liquor
Women, whiskey hunters and how to get out of your liquor rut
There was a time when all the liquor stores in Bend were owned by men. That was a year and a half ago. It changed when Allison Cogen purchased the Bend South Liquor Store from Robin Holmberg. Cogen had known Holmberg for years because she co-owned a store next to his, Postal Connections. She met […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Trailhead Liquor Opens
A brand-new liquor store, Trailhead Liquor, is now open at the north end of Bend in Robal Road Village. Owner Angela James Chisum said, “I’ve wanted my own store since my first retail job at 16. Shortly after my friend Allison Cogan took over South Bend Liquor with great success, the OLCC announced retail expansion so […]
Posted inNews
Reefer Regs Roll Hard
While Oregon’s recreational cannabis industry strives—and often succeeds—in being Daniel Day-Lewis (aka, a “good actor”), there are times when we take actions more like Adam Sandler (aka, “bad actor”). Growers, producers, dispensaries and others face judgement and penalties on two fronts: the electronic public square of social media, and the more fearsome regulatory agency smackdown, […]