The Rising Tide of Oregon’s Cannabis Tourism Industry
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, there’s a sweet, earthy aroma rising on the horizon that’s challenging the dominance of Oregon’s famous pinot noir and hop-packed craft beers. It’s the scent of success, economic and aromatic both—it’s the scent of the budding cannabis tourism industry.
Oregon’s tourism industry has always taken pride in our unique blend of rugged coastal beaches, dense evergreen forests, and the deeply etched deserts of the High Desert. Still, now we’re adding a new stop to the quintessential Oregon road trip: cannabis dispensaries.
A Little Rain, A Little Shine, and a Whole Lot of Green
Known for its abundant rainfall, Oregon’s verdant climate and fertile soil have made it an Eden for craft beverages and agricultural products. Our Willamette Valley wines are famed across the nation, but now the spotlight is widening to include the impressive yields of our hardworking cannabis cultivators. From the artisan ganja growers of Ashland to the organic operations in Carlton, Oregon’s cannabis farming scene is as diverse and vibrant as our legendary farmers’ markets.
Just like a pumpkin patch or Christmas tree farm, cannabis farms are becoming part of Oregon’s agritourism circuit. Establishments like East Fork Cultivars in Southern Oregon offer educational tours to illuminate the process from seed to smoke. Guided visits to cannabis nurseries aren’t your everyday, run-off-the-mill tourist activity, they’re an only-in-Oregon kind of adventure.
A Walk on the “High” Side
Rising alongside green tourism is our own brand of eco-friendly travel: hike-and-toke tours. Drawing in lovers of nature and cannabis alike, businesses like High 5 Tours offer yellow pot bus tours combining treks along scenic trails like Angel’s Rest and Horsetail Fall with cannabis-oriented stops. You won’t forget the feeling of watching the sun dip below the Pacific horizon at Cannon Beach with a joint from a local dispensary in hand.
Retail Rhyme and Rhythm
The cannabis retail scene in Oregon is as diverse as a Powell’s Books aisle—eclectic, quirky, and quality-oriented. Portland’s Serra and Farma stores have set high standards (no pun intended) in cannabis retailing, taking customers on a multisensory journey to choose the ideal strain for their needs. Eugene’s Moss Crossing stands out as a green beacon, focusing on sustainability and local partnerships.
The Mellow Taste of Oregon
The culinary scene has not been left behind in this green wave. Premier cannabis chefs have mastered the delicate art of cannabis-infused cooking, adding another layer of novelty to the Oregon food scene. Private chefs like Starflower and the Arcane Revelry host craft cannabis dining events that are a culinary trip to the moon and back.
And let’s not forget the delightful processed products. Homegrown chocolatiers like Gron Chocolates in Portland and artisan beverage makers such as Coalition Brewing with their CBD-infused beers make the experience a cannabis lover and foodie’s delight.
From Sea to Shining THC
The Oregon Cannabis Industry is not just adding a green blush to our cheeks—it’s bringing “green” in terms of economic benefits. In 2020, Oregon collected over 50 million in tax revenues from marijuana sales—it’s safe to say, business is blooming.
Embracing the High Life
Even in Portlandia, where the dream of the ’90s is alive and well, the breadth and quality of Oregon’s cannabis scene have a unique, homegrown appeal that even “I remember when there was a brewery on every corner” locals can’t deny.
Of course, every rose colored scenario does come with its thorns. Like labeling a quality pinot noir or differentiating between a porter and a Stout, cannabis requires a keen understanding. Potential consumers should educate themselves on the uses, effects, and legality in order to appreciate the depth and layers of Oregon’s green gold.
The Future of Green Tourism
As the landscape of cannabis tourism in Oregon continues to evolve, it encourages travelers to lean back, let the rain bounce off their well-used Patagonia rain jackets, light up a pre-rolled joint of locally grown, organic Blue Dream, and better enjoy the majestic, oddball charm that’s Oregon. Pioneers once traveled here for the promise of land, but today’s pioneers come for the cannabis tourism, proving that liberty and the pursuit of happiness still underpin the Oregonian way.