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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 2019)
REGION Friday, January 4, 2019 East Oregonian A3 Oregon again sees huge marijuana harvest More than 2.5 million pounds harvested in October Associated Press SALEM — For the sec- ond year in a row, Oregon cannabis farmers have har- vested more than a million pounds of usable marijuana. The huge harvest (more than 453,592 kilograms) is again driving down prices for consumers and putting pressure on growers who aren’t getting the price they hoped for after a similar phenomenon in 2017, The Bulletin reported Thursday. Oregon’s cannabis mar- ket is limited to sales within the state’s borders, yet the state of about 4 million people has 1,107 licensed active producers and another 900 produc- ers seeking licenses from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. There is also no cap on the number of licenses issued by the state, but the commission did place a temporary freeze on new applications last summer to try to address the glut. “Everyone is con- cerned about this,” said Adam Smith, Craft Can- nabis Alliance executive director. “You’ll see peo- ple going out of business in the spring when it’s plant- ing time. There are far too many in the industry in dis- AP Photo/Don Ryan, File This May 24, 2018 file photo shows a marijuana plant at a commercial grow in Springfield. For the second year in a row, Oregon cannabis producers have harvested more than a million pounds of fresh marijuana. tress. No one is making money here.” Growers harvested more than 2.5 million pounds of cannabis in October. Of that so-called wet harvest, 1.3 million pounds of usable marijuana was logged into the Oregon Liquor Con- trol Commission’s canna- bis tracking system as of December, according to the agency’s latest report. In 2017, the fall harvest reaped nearly 2.6 million pounds of wet product and about 1 million pounds of usable marijuana. Last year, cannabis farm- ers statewide cut back the amount they planted, while others didn’t plant at all, and some surrendered their licenses, said Don Morse, a Portland cannabis con- sultant. As of Wednesday, 70 grower licenses were expired, and 57 licenses were surrendered, accord- ing to commission data. There is one silver lin- ing: People are buying so much pot that Oregon’s marijuana tax collections have exceeded the forecast by 7 percent in the 2017- 2019 biennium, accord- ing to the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. State economists noted that ongoing growth in sales volumes has been more than enough to make up for falling prices. “Because of the fed- eral illegality, there is not a balance between suppli- ers and demand,” said Beau Whitney, senior economist and vice president of New Frontier Data, a cannabis market research firm. “If it was an open market and it was legal throughout the United States, there would be demand and prices would stabilize.” Prices for pot last year plunged as much as 50 per- cent, Whitney said. This year could see prices drop by 35 to 50 percent more, he said. “There is no short-term fix for this,” Whitney said. “You have a lot of supply in the system, and it will take a while for it to flow through the system.” Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday in a conference call with reporters that the discrepancy between state and federal laws remains the biggest hurdle for alle- viating the oversupply. The newly sworn-in Congress could push through changes to help growers, she added. The U.S. House is controlled by Democrats, including some who favor making mari- juana legal at the federal level, such as Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer. Brown said she also hopes that Congress will act to allow banks to do business with the marijuana industry. “This Congress can be of incredible use to us,” she said. At the state level, Oregon State Sen. Floyd Prozanski, a Democrat from Eugene, plans to reintroduce parts of a 2017 bill that would have allowed Oregon to enter into agreements with Cali- fornia and Washington for coordination of marijua- na-related businesses, The Statesman Journal reported this week. Shipping marijuana by air would be prohibited and pot couldn’t be transported through a state that didn’t agree. Brown said she wants to work with Prozanski and others on statutes that could alleviate Oregon’s pot problem. The numbers in the com- mission report also reflect the growing popularity of concentrates and tinctures over the dried marijuana flower — the “bud” that’s traditionally been smoked for a high. That dovetails with a study of consumer habits by New Frontier Data and MJ Freeway, a cannabis technology firm, The Bul- letin said. The market share of concentrates has nearly reached parity with flower, growing 138 percent since 2015, from 16 percent of retail sales to 38 percent in October 2018, according to the study. HERMISTON Governor Brown Quilters piece together relief outreach endorses lowering threshold for DUIIs East Oregonian HERMISTON — A group of quilters from Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church recently boxed up 108 quilts to send to Lutheran World Relief. The group meets weekly for fellowship and quilting to assist with the project that provides aid to people expe- riencing emergencies around the world. In addition to the quilts, the group gathered supplies, which were col- lected throughout the year from the congregation. The shipment sent to Lutheran World Relief also included school supplies, personal care items and baby care products. Taking a biblical refer- ence from the book of Mat- thew, the group’s motto is “Blessed be the quil- ters, for they shall be called Piecemakers.” Although it’s a simple combination of fabric and thread, the quilts can reach out to people in their time of greatest need with a mes- sage of hope. In addition to Oregon Public Broadcasting Photo contributed by Michelle Hedgepath Dorothy Lee, Ruth Konningrud, Regina Marks, David Marks, Kevin Hedgepath, Jerry McMichael and Phil Schmidt worked on recent mission projects with Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church in Hermiston. shielding against the cold as warm bedding, the quilts can be useful as simple tents, floor coverings or a wrap to hold a baby on a mother’s back. Anyone who is inter- ested is invited to join the group weekly to work on quilts. Their 2019 cam- paign runs from January through October. The quil- ters meet each Thursday at 1 p.m. at the United Meth- odist Church, 191 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. For more information, call 541-571-9477. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Thurs- day endorsed legisla- tion to lower the state’s drunk-driving limit, say- ing that she thinks soci- ety is moving toward dis- couraging driving after any amount of drinking. The governor said in a telephone press confer- ence with reporters that she would help Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, in passing leg- islation that would lower the current .08 percent blood-alcohol limit to .05 percent. Utah this week became the first state in the nation to impose that lower limit. “I think it makes sense for Oregon to take a leadership role on this issue,” said Brown, add- ing, “we have really seen a culture change” in soci- ety becoming increas- call 541-966-0380 or visit www.pendletonlibrary.wee- bly.com. PENDLETON — Par- ents can gain information in dealing with problem behav- iors exhibited by children ages 0-12 in a Triple P Dis- cussion Group. The sessions are Tuesdays in January from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pendleton Pub- lic Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave. Lunch is provided. The topics include Deal- ing with Disobedience (Jan. 8), Managing Fight- ing and Aggression (Jan. 15), Developing Good Bed- time Routines (Jan. 22) and Hassle-Free Shopping with children (Jan. 29). Registra- tion is not required. People can attend one or all. The Triple P Discus- sion Groups offer practical advice for tackling specific problem behaviors. The relaxed session includes an opportunity to make plans to deal with the problems when they occur. Participants receive a take- home workbook with tips. For more information, Smart Driver classes cruise into region A pair of AARP Smart Driver courses is available in the area this month. Motorists can receive a refresher on rules of the road, learn defensive driving skills and gain information on age-related factors that can impact driving. While the class is geared for those who are age 50 or older, any driver can attend. Upcoming classes and phone number to register: •Friday, Jan. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Blue Mountain Commu- nity College, 311 N. Colum- bia St., Milton-Freewater (541-938-4082). •Saturday, Jan. 12 from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Anthony Hospital, 2801 St. Anthony Way, Pendleton (541-861-0024). The course costs $15 for AARP members or $20 for non-members. People are responsible for their own lunch during a provided break. There are no tests required to pass the course. In addition, participants are encouraged to contact their insurance agents as they may be eligible for a dis- count after completing the class. Domestic Violence Services has volunteer openings People looking for vol- unteer opportunities might consider Domestic Violence Services. Assistance is needed with a variety of tasks and time commitments. Peo- ple can help with every- thing from light housekeep- ing in the offices and yard beautification or repair proj- ects to assisting with chil- dren’s activities and lead- ing a supply drive or helping with outreach at community events. In addition, help is needed with the crisis line. The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. eomediagroup.com Destiny Theatres BRIEFLY Library hosts parenting discussion groups ingly intolerant of drunk driving. “My experience is somewhat limited in this arena,” Brown said, “but the dinner party I was at New Year’s Eve, every- body who was driving was a designated driver and not drinking.” People absorb alcohol differently, but the lower limit would generally cut by one drink the amount a person could consume compared to current law. Under the new limit, an average 160-pound man could have no more than two drinks in an hour while a 120-pound woman could have no more than one drink in that period. Free training is available. A nonprofit organization, Domestic Violence Ser- vices has served Umatilla and Morrow counties for more than 40 years. In addi- tion to shelters in Pendleton and Hermiston, it maintains a 24-hour crisis line (800- 833-1161) and provides support services and advo- cacy activities for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. There are offices in Pendleton, Hermiston, Mil- ton-Freewater, Boardman and Heppner. For more information, contact volunteer@dvs-or. org, 541-276-3322 or visit www.dvs-or.org. Luncheon offers insight on area homeless PENDLETON — The Round Up Republican Women invites the public to its upcoming meeting, which will feature a presen- tation on homelessness in the area. Chief Stuart Roberts of the Pendleton Police Department and Capt. Ricky Scruggs of The Sal- vation Army will discuss their insight regarding the homeless. The no-host lun- cheon meeting is Thurs- day, Jan. 10 at 11:45 a.m. at the Red Lion, 304 S.E. Nye Ave., Pendleton. The meal costs $11. Those who plan to attend are asked to regis- ter in advance. To RSVP or for more information, contact 541- 276-3182 or rounduprw@ gmail.com. Fri - Wed, Jan. 4, 2019 - Jan. 9, 2019 Subject to change. Check times daily. Hermiston Stadium 8 Hwy 395 & Theatre Ln - 567-1556 MoviesInHermiston.com E SCAPE R OOM (PG-13) A QUAMAN (PG-13) M ARY P OPPINS R ETURNS (PG) B UMBLEBEE (PG-13) S PIDER -M AN : I NTO S PIDER -V ERSE (PG) T HE M ULE (R-17) H OLMES & W ATSON (PG-13) R ALPH B REAKS I NTERNET (PG) $5. 50 Tuesdays** **ALL DAY TUESDAY, MOST MOVIES. Check ONLINE for more information!