Inspiring travel through photography

You are here: Home / Travel / Americas / North America / Inside a Legal Marijuana Dispensary in Astoria Oregon

//  54 Comments

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.

Inside Sweet Relief, a legal marijuana dispensary in Astoria Oregon
The back room was much larger than I had expected.
Some of the various strains of marijuana at Sweet Relief, a legal marijuana dispensary in Astoria Oregon
To my surprise, inside the cabinets were many strains of marijuana with names like Key Lime Pie, Pineapple Chunk, Gorilla Glue #4, Super Skunk, Maui Waui, Train Wreck, and Merlot.
Smelling a strain of marijuana at Sweet Relief in Astoria Oregon
Dawna suggested I smell several of the strains. Again, I was surprised by the varied aromas.
Different forms of legal marijuana in Oregon
Prior to June 2 certain forms were only available by prescription, including the ones in this case: edible (chocolate bars), liquids (shakes), and transdermal (topical).
Different forms of legal marijuana in Oregon
Also sold in concentrates.
Different forms of legal marijuana in Oregon
There were other forms behind the counter including flowers, seeds, clones, and vapes.

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:

Have you been inside a marijuana dispensary? Would you have been curious enough to have gone into Sweet Relief?

Please share this article on social media, including Pinterest:

Come with me as I take you Inside a Legal Marijuana Dispensary

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. 

Sharing is Caring

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. 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!

    Reply

  4. 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.

    Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

  7. 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!

    Reply

  8. 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!

    Reply

  9. 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?

    Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

  12. 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.

    Reply

  14. 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?

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  15. 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!

    Reply

  16. 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.

    Reply

  17. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  18. 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!

    Reply

  20. 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. ☺

    Reply

  21. 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.

    Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

  25. 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

    Reply

  27. 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.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

shares