Curiosity took me inside Sweet Relief, the first licensed dispensary for both medical and recreational marijuana in Astoria, Oregon. The state recently changed their laws, now allowing people over the age of 21 to purchase marijuana without a prescription, although Sweet Relief caters to medicinal needs as well. Their mission, “to provide Oregon Medical Marijuana Patients with a Professional establishment to acquire Pure, Tested, Quality medicine.”
I was unsure what to expect when I walked in. I was greeted in a reception area where I had to register by supplying my driver’s license. Then I was allowed into the “backroom” where I discovered there is a huge variety of marijuana, both in strains and in dispensing options.
Practical Information in Oregon (derived from a poster in Sweet Relief, mid-May 2016):
- You can possess and use recreational marijuana if you are 21 and older. If you are younger, it is illegal.
- You can possess up to 8 ounces of usable marijuana in your home and one ounce outside the home.
- You can grow up to 4 plants per residence, out of public view.
- Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
- You can use recreational marijuana at home or on private property. Public use is illegal.
- You can’t take it in or out of the state. (That includes into Washington.)
- You can make edible products at home or receive them as a gift, and can only use them in private places.
I know this is still a heavily debated, emotionally charged topic. And without taking sides, I was able to learn quite a bit. However, I do have an opinion. I am one of the lucky ones. The conditions and diseases that are most helped by marijuana are not affecting my friends or family. If they were, I certainly hope it would be available for them to make the choice to try or not. Today, I am not here to debate the topic, but rather to take you with me inside the dispensary, to satisfy your curiosity like I satisfied my own.
Want to know more? Here are a few helpful links:
- Official page regarding recreational marijuana use from the Oregon government website.
- Check out this What’s Legal? poster we saw hanging in a few spots in the state.
- While I haven’t read it, this is a number one best seller: Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower’s Bible.
- Sweet Relief is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm and is located in the charming town of Astoria Oregon at 1444 Commercial St. We discovered it whilst on a much larger USA trip.
Have you been inside a marijuana dispensary? Would you have been curious enough to have gone into Sweet Relief?
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Disclaimer: I was not provided with nor did I purchase any marijuana. My visit was purely informational, although I was gifted a sweatshirt. The opinions expressed here are purely my own.
McKenzie
I think it’s great that there are dispensaries popping up around in the legal states. It makes it so much safer. Thanks for sharing this!
Rhonda Albom
I think it is great also.
Selene
Love your post! Great pictures, definitely always an awesome experience to visit a marijuana dispensary. Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda Albom
It was my first time.
Brian
Looks like a really cool shop! I bet the workers were very knowledgeable and able to get you the right type of weed. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Rhonda Albom
They were very knowledgeable, kind, and patient.
Christina
Their mission sounds very targeted toward helping those in pain who desire and find relief through this treatment. Your curiosity unearthed something that many would find interesting.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Christina, and yes I would agree.
larissa
What an awesome little adventure! The pictures you took are awesome, and it definitely makes me want to visit the shop! It’s great that they let you take these pictures! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rhonda Albom
I was pretty pleased that they let me take photos, but I did so respectfully, not capturing any shoppers.
Morgan
Wow, this dispensary is incredible! What an awesome shop! Glad to see you enjoyed your visit! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Morgan.
budget jan
Well good on you for going inside. I would never have even thought of doing so, but it was a very interesting visit. I didn’t realize there would be different flavours!
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I had no idea what to expect. It was all a surprise to me, especially the professionalism of the place.
Michelle | michwanderlust
This is fascinating! It’s completely illegal here in Singapore and it’s an extraterritorial offence (so it’s still illegal even if we do it overseas and don’t bring any back), but it’s really interesting how it’s almost like a candy shop, with the myriad flavours available!
Rhonda Albom
How can it be illegal if you do it somewhere else? (A similar question to my annual whine about having to pay US taxes when I don’t live there anymore).
Marcia
Very interesting post, Rhonda!
I’m from Jamaica, which I’ve heard has some of the best ganja (as well call it). I’m only aware of one flavor – wonder if the addition of flavor compromises its potency. So, did you try some?
Rhonda Albom
LOL – did you read my disclaimer, I was only an observer. No, I didn’t partake. Good question though, now I am wondering.
Donna Janke
Interesting. I was surprised at all the flavours and that you could smell them (like you would at a tea shop).
Rhonda Albom
I was surprise how different they smelled.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
We would often do high cost purchases in Oregon as there was no sales tax added. I wonder if the marijuana is also sold tax free? Seems like that would be counterproductive. I haven’t been in one of these shops in any of the legalized states. Thanks for the look!
Rhonda Albom
Interesting questions you raised. Maybe someone else knows the answer, as we didn’t make a purchase.
Sally-Ann Brown
I think it would have been really interesting to just have a look about the dispensary and just learn about the various ways and reasons to use the product.I firmly believe that the more we educate ourselves the less we fear something and therefore become more open to accepting what others may choose for themselves.
Rhonda Albom
Agree completely and yes it was interesting and educational.
Amila @Leisure and Me
I’ve read about medical marijuana,but I don’t have such experience.This is really interesting.And it is good to know about such rules in this state.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Amila. I found it really intriguing, and couldn’t walk by without going in.
Anda
How interesting. I’ve never been in a Marijuana dispensary before and never tried any kind of drugs. When I grew up there were no drugs in Romania and now I’m too old to start a bad habit. There doesn’t seem to be a long line for Marijuana in the store. Have you seen many people buying it?
Rhonda Albom
There was only one customer in there while we were and a few waiting outside. I am not sure if they limit the number inside. I agreed to their strict confidentiality, and took no photos with customers.
Jo
Fascinating! I was really curious what one would look like inside. I admit I thought it would be more “hippy” but it has a very professional retail appearance. Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda Albom
LOL – Me too, it was impressively professional. I have no idea what other dispensaries are like however.
Phoebe | Lou Messugo
I totally agree with Lexa Cain, I think it’s a very sensible way to go and I would definitely take a look if I was in the area. I’ve been to Amsterdam a few times but this seems more medicinal and professional.
Rhonda Albom
I only remember going into a cafe that edible products when I was in Amsterdam, but that was a very long time ago.
Lexa Cain
I think it’s smart (if not ethical) for the government to stop fighting the losing battle against drug dealing and become the drug dealers themselves. They can make taxes off it, provide safe places where people can “use,” and lessen the violence of gangs. I’m pretty sure the legalization of heroin and cocaine and perhaps hallucinogens can’t be too far away. The US is too desperate for money. And other countries will probably follow suit.
Rhonda Albom
Somehow I think the heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogens are going a bit far, but I completely agree that from a tax perspective, it was a good stratigic move for the government to legalize marijuana.
Kathy Marris
How interesting. I probably would have a sticky beak at this establishment just for curiosity sake. I think medicinal marijuana is fine. If tobacco and alcohol are legal and have done the damage they’ve done then I see no reason to not make marijuana legal (as Oregon have done). It’s available everywhere anyway!
Rhonda Albom
Good point, it is out there.
Steve
Interesting. Legal marijuana? Weren’t alcohol and tobacco enough?
Rhonda Albom
It’s not just Oregon, it’s legal in multiple states.
Comedy Plus
I can remember training classes way back in the day and having the drug enforcement guys tells us that someday weed would be legal. The reason? Taxes. The government needs the money so they will make it legal. I see those guys were right.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Rhonda Albom
Interesting, but it makes sense. I think taxes is the main reason prostitution is legal in New Zealand.
L. Diane Wolfe
When I lived in Oregon, it was legal to grow two plants of your own. That was many years ago.
The edible stuff makes sense. But anything you have to smoke is still bad for you.
Rhonda Albom
I had no idea any aspect of it was legal before recently. Interesting.
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
I have linked up in your linky but I am not sure if its correct topic. I hope it is!
I remember drinking a tea made of marijuana before as a child as I am in so much pain. It does helped but the doctor gace me a better medicine. It turned out the tummy ache is cause by my tummy being overly acidic which makes my stomach lining thinner. He gave me maalox for the thinning & some strong pain killer. Happy to say that I am better now.
Rhonda Albom
Interesting, I never heard of marijuana tea before. Glad you are better now.
Trekking with Becky
This is so interesting! I have no interest in buying any, but I’d love to visit!
Rhonda Albom
Same as me.
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
really interesting!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Tanja.
Travelera
How cool and interesting, I am a pharmacist and I have never seen one like this, well I have been in Amsterdam and they sell all kind of things but this looks so much proffesional that the shops there 😉
Happy weekend dear Rhonda
Rhonda Albom
This is the only one I have ever seen, so I found it fascinating from a different perspective.
Paula McInerney
If it helps a person who needs it, then it should be available to them. Great post, and if it gave you some sweet relief in the name of research, well good too.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – did you read the disclaimer, I neither purchased nor were provided with any “Sweet Relief” 🙂
stevebethere
That was fascinating quite a variety too I had to giggle at you sheepishly smelling some heheh!, there is calls here for it to be legalised here all the time.
Rhonda Albom
It comes up here in New Zealand as well. It was really an interesting opportunity.