At midnight last night recreational marijuana became legal to buy and sell in Oregon. Medical marijuana dispensaries licensed by the state will operate as retail stores until recreational regulations are put in place next year.
The end of marijuana prohibition is attracting big money from outside the state. When it comes to recreational marijuana, what happens in Vegas matters in Oregon. At least that’s the case with Shango, a marijuana company operating in Portland. Shane McKee is the co-founder of Shango, which is owned by a parent company based in Las Vegas.
“We have four cultivation facilities here in Oregon,” said McKee. “[We are] currently building cultivation facilities in Nevada and Washington, applying for licenses in Hawaii. So we’re trying to be a national brand.”
Shango was one of a few stores in Portland to open at midnight and let customers buy marijuana. About 40 people turned out for the midnight opening. While many of the first customers were locals from the city, McKee says this location – by the Portland airport – will be marketed to out of state customers.
