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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 2015)
14A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • August 19, 2015 Polk County News The changing face of pot Medical dispensaries may sell marijuana to all on Oct. 1 By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer INDEPENDENCE — Alex Andrade, 40, is perhaps the least likely person to run a medical marijuana dispen- sary. She has never smoked marijuana — or cigarettes, for that matter. She’s never had a drop of alcohol. “I’ve gotten some flak from people about being a non-smoker, but I’m proud of my lifelong sobriety,” said Andrade, owner of Blackbird Indica, one of two medical marijuana dispensaries in Polk County. Healing — and sobriety — run in her family, Andrade said. “I’m the great-grand- daughter of Lassen Wilis- Kol-Kold, who was a medi- cine woman of the Moun- tain Maidu People,” she said. “I do believe she used cannabis in her healing, too. And she did not par- take herself, either, so I just look at it as being a h e a l e r l i k e m y g re a t - grandma.” Andrade opened Black- bird in January, and, though she voted against Measure 91, she will begin selling recreational marijuana on Oct. 1. So far, she compared her facility to a frozen yogurt business — profitable, but not as much as people may suspect. Her clients vary from life- long marijuana users to peo- ple recently diagnosed with cancer. “I have 90-year-old farm- ers who just don’t want to take 15 pills a day and are choosing a more holistic ap- proach to feeling better,” Andrade said. Business has died down a bit during the summer, lead- ing her to believe she had more student clients than she suspected. “Apparently, we have a lot,” Andrade said. “It will be interesting to see how Oct. 1 goes.” Right now, only Oregon Medical Marijuana card holders may buy flowers, concentrates, edibles and other marijuana products. On Oct. 1, anyone older than 21 may buy flowers, or bud. At first, recreational mari- juana will be tax-free. After Jan. 4, 2016, a 25 percent tax will be added at the point of sale — Oregon’s first true sales tax — for purchases made at a dispensary. A gram will cost from $6 to $12 for recreational mari- juana flowers at Blackbird Indica, Andrade said. She said the lack of taxes, at least at first, is important to try and kill the black mar- ket. “The black market is still stronger than the dispen- saries, in my opinion,” she said. “We have people come in all the time and say, ‘I can get this on the street for this much.’ Well, you can, but I EMILY MENTZER/ Itemizer-Observer Alex Andrade, 40, will begin selling marijuana flower to people older than 21 starting Oct. 1. Right now, the owner of Blackbird Indica only sells medical marijuana. don’t recommend it.” Healing Green and Black- bird are the only two med- ical marijuana dispensaries in Polk County. Whether or not the coun- Come to Me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest — Matthew 11:28 Grief Support Workshop presented by Rev. Terry L. Mott, CT, BCPC, with Gentiva Hospice. Sponsored by Dallas Retirement Village. Tuesday, August 25 3:30 to 4:30 at Dallas Retirement Village in our Chapel. Call Christine to reserve a spot, 503-623-1831. All are welcome. 377 NW Jasper, Dallas Nobody has come forth to buy our business so we can retire, so August 31st is the last day for Foster’s Furniture. ty will see any more mari- juana businesses could be up to local jurisdiction. The Oregon Legislators decided that counties and cities that voted no on Measure 91, which Polk County voters did — 52.6 to 47.3 percent — may opt out of allowing dispensaries. While cities debate the topic, Independence Police Chief Bob Mason said he hasn’t had any problems with either dispensary — no more calls than from any other retail business. Monmouth Police Chief Darrell Tallan said whether or not a dispensary in Mon- mouth would increase po- lice calls is yet to be seen. Monmouth was a dry town until 2002, when it first changed its ordinances to allow beer and wine sales. August 31st LAST DAY!!! 50% OFF Total Purchase 10% OFF Mattresses, Boxsprings, Rails Mon - Sat 9-5 ~ OPEN 6 Days a Week 145 SW Mill St, Dallas ~ 503-623-7065 Tallan said the alcohol-re- lated criminal activity — minor in possession, driving under the influence, having an open container in pub- lic — did not increase after selling alcohol was legal in Monmouth. When it comes to selling marijuana, Tallan said he suspects it will put addi- tional work on officers doing background checks for licensing, similar to Ore- gon Liquor Control Com- mission licenses for alcohol sales. As for marijuana theft, Tallan said he and his offi- cers already deal with theft of medical marijuana plants. “The potential is there more now that more people are able to grow, but I guess time will tell if that’s going to be an issue or not,” he said. “We want to thank all of our customers for a great 25 years.” — From Gary Foster, Cheryl, Ron & Eunice