Oregon is one of the states that allows people to use marijuana for fun, as well as for medical reasons and to grow hemp. But people don’t use weed at the same rate in all of Oregon’s towns.
As per a new study from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, there is one place that stands out as being the most cannabis-friendly in the state and maybe even the whole country.
Portland: The Marijuana Capital of Oregon
Portland, Oregon’s largest and most populated city, has the greatest rate of marijuana sales per capita in the state. Despite having only 16% of the state’s population, Portland accounted for 30% of all marijuana sales in Oregon in 2020.
That implies Portland residents spent $266 per person on marijuana goods in 2020, more than double the state average of $120.
Portland also has the most legal marijuana dealers in the state, with 167 as of March 2021. This equates to around one store for every 4,000 inhabitants, which is greater than the national average of one store for every 10,000 persons. Portland’s marijuana industry is also quite broad, with goods ranging from flowers and edibles to concentrates and topicals.
Given the city’s progressive and liberal culture, as well as its history of cannabis advocacy, Portland’s high marijuana usage is unsurprising.
In 1973, Portland became one of the first cities in the United States to legalize marijuana possession, and in 2005, it held the inaugural Hempstalk Festival, a celebration of hemp and cannabis culture. Portland also boasts a thriving medical marijuana community, with many patients and caregivers relying on cannabis to improve their health and well-being.
Oregon Enjoys Weed: A Report on Marijuana Use and Culture in the State
Portland isn’t the only Oregon place where people like weed. Oregon has one of the highest rates of marijuana use in the U.S. In 2021, it was second only to Vermont as a state.
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 19.3% of Oregon adults had used marijuana in the past month and 27.8% had used marijuana in the past year. These numbers are a lot higher than the national figures, which are 18.1% and 11.7%, respectively.
Many factors contribute to Oregonians’ fondness for marijuana, including:
Legalization: Oregon was one of the first states to allow medical marijuana in 1998. In 2014, it became legal for casual use. Legalizing marijuana has made it easier for Oregonians to get, cheaper, and more socially acceptable. It has also created a controlled and taxed business that brings in money for the state.
Quality: Oregon is known for having some of the best marijuana in the country. This is because of its good temperature, land, and water, as well as its skilled and creative growers and processors. People from all over the country come to Oregon to buy marijuana because of its strength, variety, and taste.
Culture: Cannabis culture in Oregon goes back to the counterculture and hippie movements of the 1960s and 1970s and is very old and rich. Oregonians value freedom, individualism, and creativity, all of which are things that go along with weed use. There is also a large and active cannabis community in Oregon. Many events, parties, clubs, and other groups enjoy and support cannabis culture.
Summary
In summary, Oregon, particularly Portland, is a marijuana haven, reflecting the state’s progressive position on cannabis use. Portland’s cannabis-friendly climate is exemplified by its leading position in marijuana sales per capita, an abundance of licensed shops, and its varied cannabis sector.
The state’s general fondness for marijuana, fueled by factors like early legalization, high-quality goods, and a thriving cannabis culture, presents Oregon as a cannabis enthusiast’s paradise. Oregonians’ passionate and lengthy relationship with marijuana is profoundly ingrained in the state’s culture, generating a healthy and tolerant cannabis society.