Walking on the Greens: The Growth of Oregon’s Cannabis Tourism Scene
MJ or Mary Jane, whatever the locals like to call it, has a unique relationship with the proud and green state of Oregon. Many of them have a wholehearted love for the plant that goes beyond simple recreational enjoyment. It’s a passion that has seeped into their very culture, as organic as the rain-soaked landscape and as robust as the finest Portland microbrew.
The Start of A New Kind of Green Trail
Oregon cannabis tourism didn’t happen overnight. It’s a tale that started with the decriminalization of the plant back in 1973. Zip forward to 2015, and the gates beautifully opened wide with Measure 91. This law permits grownups to grow, own, and enjoy cannabis in all its smoky or edible glory. It was more than a green light — it was an invitation to a whole new culinary and cultural landscape. Quietly, in the shadow of Mount Hood and under the greybodied skies of the Pacific Northwest, a green revolution had begun.
Visitors Are Catching A (Cannabis) High
Folks from near and far are catching a ride on the Cascadia magic bus to our state for a taste of our moreish Oregon Cannabis. Pioneers like High 5 Tours, based right in the heart of our ‘City of Roses’, are leading the way. They’ve turned school buses into cannabuster-friendly social zones, stopping at favorite cannabis hotspots like Pusher’s Outpost and the World Famous Cannabis Café, complementing the scenery with superb hospitality.
With time, Oregon’s pot tourism map has been growing faster than a weed in spring. From coastal Astoria, with the waves of Pacific whispering ancient tales, to peaceful Pendleton, where you can enjoy cannabis alongside the nostalgic Echo of horseshoes in the Pendleton Round-Up, there is an experience waiting to be found around every river bend.
It’s More Than Just Rolling Up
But let’s not forget, it isn’t just about partaking. The industry has served as a ripe opportunity for businesses to invent and innovate. Take East Fork Cultivars, an impressive local grow operation located in tippy Southern Oregon toward the Californian border. They take the concept of farm to table to a whole new light by curating cannabis educational tours. They provide an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture while surrounded by the lush beauty of Oregon’s Applegate Valley.
Likewise, the inception of events such as the Cultivation Classic and the Oregon Hemp Convention offer chances to learn about cannabis from the ground up, veritably making one feel at home amidst the greenery.
Oregon Weather & Cannabis: A Love Affair
Mother Nature plays her part too. Oregon’s tobacco speaks volumes of the rich, fertile soil and our generous helping of rain that makes everything grow fully. Like Pinot Noir grapes thrive in the rolling vineyards of the Willamette Valley, cannabis too loves the misty Oregon weather.
Blossoming Cultural Acceptance
Despite its increasing normalcy, mention of cannabis can still raise eyebrows in certain places. However, Oregonians have always valued personal freedom, respect and love for the greens. Our state, with its flannel-wearing, craft beer sipping, coffee-obsessed populace, is usually ahead of the curve when it comes to shifting norms. Thus, this burgeoning cannabis tourism industry isn’t just a novelty; it’s an organic extension of what Oregonians value.
The Only Constant Is… Green
Seasons may change from the brilliant shades of fire in the Cascades during autumn, to white-capped peaks in winter, to rhododendron blooms in the spring, but one thing remains constant – the flourishing green of the cannabis industry.
The growth of this industry shows no sign of slowing, and why should it? With a combination of natural beauty, welcoming hospitality, vibrant culture, and an unbeatable selection of quality cannabis, it really is a heady brew.
So, go forth and explore Oregon’s green scene in all its whiffs and wares. Whether you’re a longtime local, a recently relocated ‘transplant’, or simply visiting, there’s always a new bud to savor and a new story to hear about Oregon’s growing cannabis tourism industry.
Oregon invites you to light up your senses. It’s a green world out there, friends. Time to explore!