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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2018)
March 16, 2018 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 3A North Coast is profitable for marijuana retailers Clatsop County sold $8 million in pot products last year By Edward Stratton The Daily Astorian With their lower popu- lations and higher rates of tourism, North Coast counties sold some of the most mar- ijuana per capita in Oregon last year. The 14 licensed marijua- na retailers in Clatsop Coun- ty sold more than $8 million in products last year, part of the nearly $520 million sold statewide. The industry has grown to employ more than 12,000 people, while the state has raked in more than $100 million in tax revenue. There were six marijua- na retailers in Astoria, four in Seaside, one in Cannon Beach, two along U.S. High- way 26 and one in Westport — more than 1 for every 2,800 people. Combined sales equaled $208 per person, the sixth-highest rate in the state during the first full year of recreational sales regulated by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Tillamook County ranked fifth, selling $5.6 million in marijuana products, equal to $214 per person. Lincoln County came in third, at $13.6 million, $284 per person. Stephanie Schlip, who manages Oasis Cannabis lo- cations in Newberg, Mon- mouth and Seaside, said her sales on the Oregon Coast will COLIN MURPHEY/THE DAILY ASTORIAN Jeromy Nelson works the counter at Hi Casual Cannabis in Astoria. ‘THERE’S A LOT OF MONEY FLOATING AROUND.’ Don Morse often outstrip those in the Wil- lamette Valley by 25 percent in the summer and lag behind in winter. “I would say about 1 out of every 20 customers say they’re from another state, and they’ve never been in a dispensary,” she said. Many were Californians before that state recently le- galized recreational sales, she said, Many were from Idaho, the only state bordering Ore- gon where recreational mari- juana is illegal. Curry County, on the bor- der with California, ranked second in sales per capita, selling $310 worth of mari- juana per person. Rural Baker County, with 16,750 residents and across the border from more than 600,000 people in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, sold $16 million worth of marijua- na last year, or $960 per per- son. Multnomah County sold $176 million in marijuana products last year, or $220 per person, the fourth-highest rate statewide. “I think it’s just the be- ginning,” said Don Morse, director of the Oregon Canna- bis Business Council, a trade association. “I think sales are going to increase, and they’ll certainly get a lot higher as we take away from the black market.” But Morse and others see consolidation coming among the more than 500 retailers and 900 growers statewide. A presentation by New Peggy Lou Bruner Seaside Sept. 11, 1929 — Nov. 15, 2017 Peggy Scott Bruner was born in Longview, Work Scott, preceded her in death. Washington, where she lived most of her life Peggy enjoyed her local friends, her family, until moving to Seaside 13 years ago. Peggy her community, playing pinochle, cooking, go- enjoyed life at the beach, and was an active and ing out to dinner, jewelry, dogs, watching sun- sets, the tides and wildlife in the Na- fun-loving person until her peaceful canicum estuary. Living in Seaside demise. Peggy worked 22 years at Weyer- was a wonderful time in her life; it haeuser and retired from mill work has been a great adventure for Peg- gy, and all who shared time with her. in 1988. She was one of the first Apache prayer: group of women hired by Weyerhae- user for general labor when the equal May the Sun bring you new en- ergy by day. opportunity laws went into effect. May the Moon softly restore you Her family is proud she succeeded by night. and flourished. Peggy is survived by her son, Ty May the Rain wash away your Bruner of Longview, and recently Peggy Lou Bruner worries. Seaside; and her daughter, Teresa May the Breeze blow new Epstein, now living in Seaside. Her strength into your being. brother, Duane Scott, lives in Longview. Her May you Walk gently through the world father, Charlie Scott, and her mother, Georgia and know its beauty all the days of your life. Paul H. Yearout Gearhart Sept. 15, 1924 — March 6, 2018 Paul Yearout growers has gone from less than 10 million square feet in 2015 to more than 20 mil- lion square feet, Whitney said. Between October 2016, when recreational sales start- ed, and November, the retail price of a pound of marijuana dropped from $4,440 to less than $3,000. “It’s no surprise to me that there’s excess supply, or Thompson files, Clement passes on county commission seat OBITUARIES On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, while surrounded by family and friends, our beloved father, Paul Yearout, passed peacefully from this world and returned to the Lord at the age of 93. Born on Sept. 15, 1924, Dad lived in Provo, Utah, from 1964 until his retirement from Brigham Young University as a math professor in Frontier Data economist Beau Whitney noted the industry was reaching saturation. Re- tailers need about $125,000 in monthly sales to be viable, but are averaging $92,000 a month in Oregon, leaving them in distress. Part of the issue is too much marijuana being pro- duced. The estimated maxi- mum canopy being used by that prices are plummeting,” Whitney said, adding many growers are trying to get bought out. Whitney has suggested re- tailers lower their prices to take price-conscious consumers away from the black market. “In general, for every 1 percent or so reduction in price … you’ll increase your demand by 2 to 3 percent,” he said. “That’s conversion over from the illicit market.” The marijuana industry is also trying to tackle other reg- ulatory hurdles, such as find- ing bankers to handle money and places to legally smoke outside of the home. The Oregon Cannabis Business Council is planning legislation for the next session on social-use areas for canna- bis, Morse said. A couple of cannabis clubs in Portland allow consumption, but are technically still illegal. One issue, Morse said, is the state’s Indoor Clean Air Act. “We don’t even allow cigar bars, unless they were grandfathered in,” he said. North Fork 53, a farm and lodging on the Nehalem River in southern Clatsop County, had provided space and par- aphernalia. But the business ended the practice amid dif- ficulties turning a profit and creating spaces that complied with air quality standards. On banking, the marijua- na industry needs to show the state how much it is potential- ly losing in taxable income by businesses having to depend on cash. “There’s a lot of money floating around,” Morse said. 1991, when he and wife Cliphane moved to the Oregon coastal town of Gearhart. He is survived by two sons, six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchil- dren, and one great-great grandson. Please go online and sign the electronic guest book and leave memories and comments about our father at hughes-ransom.com LIMITED TIME OFFER DOUBLE YOUR P O W E R Race to fill House District 32 seat By Jack Heffernan The Daily Astorian A familiar face in Astoria politics will vie for a Clatsop County Board of Commis- sioners seat, while the in- cumbent will bow out. Doug Thompson, a real estate broker, property man- ager and former Astoria city councilor, filed for the Dis- trict 3 seat ahead of Tues- day’s deadline. Commission- er Lisa Clement, co-owner of Clemente’s Seafood, will not seek re-election. Thompson made his deci- sion after learning Clement did not file, he said. “I’m in it to win it,” he said. Thompson is the chair- man of the Clatsop County Democratic Central Com- mittee. He is resigning from the post to pursue to the com- mission seat, he said. He earned a business ad- ministration degree from Portland State University be- fore serving as a city coun- cilor from 1991 to 2002. The county commission has three positions up for election. Pamela Wev, an Astoria land use planning consultant, and Peter Roscoe, a former Astoria city councilor and owner of Fulio’s Pastaria, have also filed for the Dis- trict 3 seat. The position cov- ers parts of Astoria as well as Miles Crossing, Jeffers Garden, Lewis and Clark, Youngs River, Olney, Green Mountain and parts of Wal- luski. Commissioner Scott Lee, the board’s chairman, announced in 2016 that he would not seek re-election in District 1. Mark Kujala — former Warrenton mayor and owner of Skipanon Brand Seafood — Andrew Davis — a medical data analyst — and George McCartin — a retired lawyer and frequent public meeting attendee — have all filed for the seat. Commissioner Lianne Thompson will campaign for a second term and run against Susana Gladwin, a Jewell farmer. The District 5 seat covers most of South County, including Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Elsie, Jewell and parts of Seaside. The race to replace state Rep. Deborah Boone in House District 32 includes four candidates. Tim Josi — a Tillamook County commissioner — John Orr — an Astoria at- torney — and Tiffiny Mitch- ell — a progressive activist with Indivisible North Coast Oregon — have filed for the Democratic primary. War- renton author and educator Melissa Ousley filed as a Democrat but withdrew her candidacy late last month. Gene Stout — a general contractor from Banks — and Vineeta S. Lower — a Seaside teacher — will com- pete in the Republican pri- mary, while Brian Halvors- en — a Rockaway Beach community organizer who founded North Coast Pro- gressives — filed as an Inde- pendent. Josi has received the strongest financial backing of all the District 32 candi- dates. Ron Brown filed earlier this year as a district attor- ney candidate. Brown is a longtime deputy for Josh Marquis, who has held the position since 1994 but will not seek another term. Circuit Court Judge Cin- dee Matyas also filed for re-election. The primary election is May 15, and the general elec- tion will take place Nov. 6. AMAZING AWAITS. Come visit our newest location at the corner of Sunset and Hemlock in Cannon Beach. You can also find us at our orignal Pacific City brewpub right on the beach or at our Tillamook PURCHASE A Quiet, Compact and Easy to Use brewery and tap room to see where the magic happens. Automatic Standby Generator and receive a FREE INVERTER Offer valid till April 22, 2018 GENERATOR $ 500 VALUE! AND THAT’S NOT ALL! Renaud Electric Power Systems will also include a $699.99 Generac 7 year Parts & Labor Extended Warranty at no additional cost for a total Value of $1,199.00! 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