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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 2018)
community january18 2018 Vernonia’s Natural Choice: More Than Just Weed legalizing recreational sales with Mea- sure 91. Buffum attended Vernonia City Council meetings in 2014 to get the feel for whether the local political leadership would oppose local sales within City limits if the Measure passed. Brisbin says Oregon’s strict laws and OLCC regulations on both recre- ational and medical marijuana required them to navigate a seemingly endless stream of red tape just to open the busi- ness, that included licensing, a security system and safe for locking up products overnight, policy and procedures hand- books for employees, and much more. Ongoing required paperwork to track product is a full time job, along with bookwork required of any business, says Brisbin. “The laws keep being adjusted Store manager Scott says that the legalization of cannabis in Oregon has led to the creation of approximately 19,000 jobs across the state within all sectors of the industry, including grow- ing operations, manufacturing and pro- duction jobs, and retail sales, especially in rural parts of the state. She says the industry has gone through significant changes that have included the filtering out of suppliers as businesses jumped into the market and then closed down. Supply from growers of marijuana prod- ucts has skyrocketed, leading to a signifi- cant reduction in wholesale costs. Many of the over 30 different vendors that supply Vernonia’s Natural Choice are fairly regional, including product suppli- ers from Scappoose, Banks and Forest Vernonia’s Natural Choice offers a variety of CBD products that can help with numerous health issues including anxiety, stress, and pain. and changed as well, so we have to keep up with all that,” says Brisbin. Medical marijuana patients who hold a card prescribed by a physician now use local dispensaries and receive a price break by not having to pay the state tax imposed on recreational customers. Grove, and some local growers. Verno- nia’s Natural Choice itself provides jobs and income for five local families; Buf- fum was able to get off disability and be- gin working again as a clerk in the store and will also begin supplying the store with his own grown product in the near 9 continued from front page future. an e-cigarette; shatters “It’s really had which are like hash; a positive impact on our and of course flower, local economy,” says buds, and joints that Scott. can be smoked the old THC infused fashion way. “A lot of products can do more people really enjoy than just get people the process of coming high, and have been in and picking their shown to offer numer- weed for its look and ous therapeutic values its smell,” says Scott. as well, including help “Things are constant- with depression, sei- ly changing. The pro- zures including epilep- cessors are still get- sy, spasms, sleep apnea, ting into their groove appetite stimulation, and learning what glaucoma, and as an they are doing right Vernonia’s Natural Choice anti-oxidant. Brisbin and what they are do- sells medical and herself suffers from epi- ing wrong and adjust- recreational marijuana. lepsy, and says she has ing their product.” not had a seizure since she starting using “For some people it’s just the THC infused products three years ago. whole adventure and the experience of “We try to stay up on things and walking into a store and buying it,” adds make sure we are bringing in the best Brisbin. and newest products available,” says Brisbin says business has been Brisbin. pretty good so far and slowly improving While the CBD and therapeutic as more people find out about the vari- THC markets have greatly expanded, ety of products available and the stigma so has the diversity of products avail- of shopping at a marijuana dispensary able for those looking to get high from slowly dissipates. “We’re trying to give THC. Vernonia’s Natural Choice carries people a reason to shop in their home- a wide variety of edibles like chocolates, town,” says Brisbin. “We try to provide caramels, almond butters, and gummies; very personalized service because our oils and canisters which can be much customers are our neighbors and this is more convenient and discreet to use, like our town.” MIKE PIHL LOGGING CO., INC Free Estimates Specializing in Private Timber Prime Rib Dinner Every Friday & Saturday Reservations Recommended 503-429-1470 cell 503.789.1268 fax 503.429.0252 mplogging@frontier.com 1984 mist drive, po box 321 vernonia, or 97064 Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner Ice cream - cones, shakes & sundaes Daily Specials Family owned and operated for over 40 years. 721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia (503) 429-5018 Vernonia Golf Club • 15961 Timber Rd • (503) 429-6811 •
