Oregon wildfires destroyed at least seven marijuana businesses: ‘confirmed total loss’ The sudden wildfires that torched more than 1 million acres across Oregon this month completely destroyed at least seven marijuana businesses and damaged at least dozen more, according to preliminary state survey data. Marijuana has rapidly grown into a major Oregon industry, with sales topping $100 million a month during the pandemic. Oregon sales were up 41% through August and are on track to top $1 billion for the first time. The wildfires appear to have directly affected a tiny percentage of the state’s 2,300 licensees but it’s too soon to know whether that destruction and other indirect impacts might have a broader effect on this year’s crop. “Demand for product has been pretty high, reflected in the sales numbers. So we’ll just have to see. This is harvest season,” said Mark Pettinger, spokesman for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which regulates marijuana in the state. The OLCC sent out the wildfire survey last week to begin assessing the damage and ascertain how the commission should respond. Pettinger said staff are considering temporary rules that would enable licensees affected by the wildfire to transfer their product to others and stay within the state’s mandatory tracking system. The new survey data is preliminary based on early responses. Many growers aren’t able to access their sites yet, which remain in evacuation zones or burn areas. Pettinger said there are at least 20 licensees in areas overrun by fire. The southern Oregon communities of Phoenix and Talent were devastated by this month’s infernos. “We need to wait, though, until folks report to us or until our inspectors get out in the field to actually take a look to see how extensive the damage is,” he said. “We’re still trying to get a better understanding of concrete stuff that happened.” Wildfires near Oregon’s vineyards have left “smoke taint” in past years that have damaged the grapes and made them less suitable for fine wine. Pettinger said it’s not clear whether a similar phenomenon will affect this year’s marijuana harvest. The seven Oregon marijuana licensees who reported “confirmed total loss” in the OLCC’s survey are: Canyon Cannabis, Gates (Beachie Creek fire) Primo Farms, Jackson County (S. Obenchain fire) EcoTest Labs, Phoenix (Almeda fire) Grateful Meds, Talent (Almeda fire) Blue River Grass Station, Blue River (Holiday Farm fire) Fireside Dispensary, Phoenix (Almeda fire) Emerald Consulting, Medford (Almeda Fire) Twelve other licensees reported some level of damage and 15 more responded to the survey but said they don’t yet know the fate of their operations. what up?.. Frogleg
lol,.. those were the days, ugh still are 2,300 other Oregon farms,.. Jim Belushi's big marijuana farm is around the devastated area, no word about it demand is up,.. everybodies staying home, smoking weed, the pot stores never closed, the state considers them an "essential business"
Duck .... I have an idea .... CUT ALL THE DAMN DEAD TREES and create new fire breaks with Maryjane fields. knocks out two birds with one “stoned”
Was very sorry to hear about that. I heard Belushi's farm is ok. But many of his neighbors were destroyed. Hopefully their businesses were properly insured - the feds , Big Pharma's henchmen, didn't restrict access like they do with banking. BTW, i'm in Colorado - another real land of the free. Although they had fires in CO, i think their grows are all ok. Not sure what percentage are outside vs greenhouse.
