Posted inNews

Passing on the Grass?

Deschutes County commissioners finalize marijuana opt-out measure to put it on the November ballot

Since recreational marijuana grow operations were first legalized statewide in 2015, land-use disputes have overwhelmed Deschutes County officials. An ongoing influx of controversial applications prompted the enforcement of a county moratorium in August of last year, prohibiting new grow and operation applications. On the upcoming November ballot, local voters will have the opportunity to opt […]

Posted inNews

From Vapegate to LUBA

2019 wasn’t short on marijuana drama

Believe it or not, there was some news in 2019 not totally related to the Oval Office. The U.S. Congress (excluding the do-nothing Senate), the Deschutes County Commission and the Oregon state legislature had a busy 364.5 days when it came to crafting, fighting or violating marijuana policy. Federal activity The House Judiciary Committee made history […]

Posted inNews

YAC buffers and Sex Offenders

Attorneys spar at county hearing

In October, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals decided that the Deschutes County Commissioners’ definition of a “youth activity center” amounted to an unreasonable restriction on marijuana farms. Since then, I have to admit I’ve been anxiously awaiting another Deschutes County Board meeting to put marijuana land-use on their agenda. On Dec. 11, I […]

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Prescription Pot

The ups and downs of being a test case for the federal government’s Investigative New Drug program

Over the years of writing this column, I’ve gotten to meet and interview a lot of great people. One of my all-time favorite subjects to spend time with is Elvy Musikka, who I profiled in 2017 for being one of the last remaining Americans approved to receive cannabis from the federal government for medical conditions. […]

Posted inOpinion

If Residents Want an Opt-Out on Marijuana, Let Residents Put It on the Ballot Themselves

An opt-out measure is looming, costing taxpayers money on a question they’ve already answered

Ahead of the November 2018 election, then-candidate Patti Adair ran for Deschutes County Commissioner on two key platforms: Fiscal conservativism and being anti-marijuana. Since winning that electionโ€”by a narrow marginโ€”and serving on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners, she’s held true to being against marijuana growing in the county. On being a fiscal conservative, however, […]

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

What Musicians Consume

Musicians and cannabis go hand in hand. We asked a few of them what they partake in

History shows that cannabis gained widespread awareness thanks to jazz musicians from New Orleans who shared it while touring. It even spawned an entire genre of music based around cannabis, known as “Viper Jazz,” named so because of the snake-like hissing sound of someone toking on a joint. Louis Armstrong even endorsed cannabis, saying, “One […]

Posted inNews

County Changes Pot Rules

Commissioners declare an “emergency” to implement new rules sooner

The Deschutes County Commission has implemented a series of changes to its rules around growing recreational marijuanaโ€”and declared an “emergency” to make sure the rules go into effect sooner than the typical 90 days. The rules, which commissioners voted on Wednesday, include new regulations around odor, noise, lighting and reporting, among other changes. Although a […]

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Cannabis Collab Seeking New Members

Celebrate Cannabis kicked off membership drive Friday

Since the passage of Measure 91 in 2014 and the official legalization of recreational cannabis in 2015, the budding industry has seen its ups and downs. From the uncertainty of which counties and cities would allow cannabis to be sold and/or grown, to ever-changing regulations, and now, the notions of overproduction, and even a backlash […]

Posted inNews

Can You Spot the Fake Review?

You’ve heard of fake news. But what about fake reviews? Test your cannabis knowledge here

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I receive a fairly large number of items for review. And no, not all of them are cannabis products. (Begging the question, what the HELL, Oregon cannabis community?) So this week, we are going to knock out reviews for a bevy of items, with the understanding that one of […]

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