Officials in Portland, Oregon met with marijuana business owners Friday for the city’s first-ever cannabis public safety forum, addressing a spike in crime that industry leaders say threatens their survival.
Christina Coursey, Portland’s cannabis and liquor program manager, said more than 350 licensed marijuana businesses operate within city limits. Since February 2020, Portland has seen 378 reported cannabis-related crimes — including vandalism, armed robbery, sexual assault, battery, burglary, and even homicide. The city accounts for more than 60% of all marijuana-related crimes in Oregon, according to data from the program.
The city’s cannabis tax program previously offered emergency grants to businesses impacted by crime during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 fiscal years. But with Portland facing a projected $100 million budget shortfall, Coursey says there’s no funding left to continue those relief efforts.
“It’s not just retailers anymore,” Coursey said. “We’re now seeing more attacks on producers and wholesalers by an organized group using stolen vehicles to break in.”
Ryan Nicholson, co-founder of Cosmic Treehouse, said his wholesale cannabis facility was recently hit by what he called “experienced criminals.”
“Their method was vehicle break-ins, but they used circle saws on our facility,” Nicholson told city leaders. “I was profoundly impressed by the efficiency of these people.”
The owner of Eastwood Gardens said his dispensary has been targeted multiple times since February. He told officials that police took over 90 minutes to respond during one break-in — despite the station being less than a mile away.
The cannabis industry contributes millions in tax revenue annually to Portland’s economy, and business owners say more must be done to protect that investment.
