One million people are expected to visit Oregon for the eclipse - and the demand for marijuana is surging
Oregonians will be treated to one of the best viewings of the total solar eclipse - when the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun and blocks out the sun's light - on August 21.
About one million people are expected to visit the state of Oregon in order to see the eclipse. It seems some of them will want to buy legal weed while they're in town.
Local news stations are reporting that some Oregon marijuana dispensaries have seen a spike in sales ahead of the solar eclipse.
"Tourism already to Oregon, plus an eclipse, is doubling up. And that means customers are doubling in our doors," Mike Drevecky, an employee at the Little Amsterdam Wellness Center in Portland, Oregon, told The News Review. "I mean, we're swamped this morning alone."
A dispensary in the city of John Day is reportedly turning away recreational customers, in order to have enough product in stock for medical marijuana patients.
In Huntington, pot shop Hotbox Farms is expecting 10,000 customers or more through the solar eclipse event, according to WVTV Fox 13. The small railway town has a population of about 400. Steven Meland, co-owner of Hotbox Farms (one of two dispensaries in town), said the company's 21 employees will work around the clock in order to meet customer demand.
"We have guys out around the state compiling product and purchasing product to make sure we have enough of the different product for people and we don't run out," Meland added.
Marijuana has been legal for recreational use in Oregon since 2015. People over the age of 21 with a valid ID can buy and carry up to an ounce of weed. It's also legal to give away weed as a gift, so long as it's ingested in private. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
Some dispensaries are capitalizing on the moment with special products. Oregon's Finest, a pot shop in Milwaukie, is selling a variety of marijuana called Moon Puppies (a hybrid of Chem Dog and Lemon Skunk strains). It also plans to distribute protective solar eclipse glasses.
High 5 Tours, a marijuana-tourism company based in Portland, is offering a "Stoner Eclipse Adventure 2017" package that includes transportation from Portland to eastern Oregon, two nights of camping, snacks, and protective glasses. The deal starts at $750 per person.
Participants will be able to light up while darkness sets in.