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RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA Pot tourism, one way or another, expected in Oregon Comment By Ted Shorack The Bulletin MailTribune.com By Ted Shorack The Bulletin Posted May. 14, 2015 at 3:45 PM Updated May 14, 2015 at 3:46 PM By Ted Shorack The Bulletin Posted May. 14, 2015 at 3:45 PM Updated May 14, 2015 at 3:46 PM » Social News BEND — A future Central Oregon attraction may not be another craft brewery, but a marijuana grow site where tourists can pick up samples and see how the formerly illegal cannabis plant is cultivated. Portland will likely be the primary destination for marijuana tourism in Oregon, but Bend and Central Oregon could also see an influx with visitors combining their trips to grow sites with other amenities the region has to offer. The ability for tour companies to operate and offer something like the Bend Ale Trail or a vineyard-style tour is contingent on rulemaking currently being considered by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and state legislators. "Tourism will be part of this new marijuana economy," said Tom Towslee, a spokesman for the OLCC. "Just exactly what that's going to look like remains to be seen." Recreational growers won't be able to obtain licenses from the OLCC until early 2016, and storefronts selling recreational pot aren't expected to begin operating until late 2016. Oregon lawmakers are still debating legislation that is expected to tweak Measure 91, which legalized pot in Oregon and will go into effect on July 1. Although still nascent in Colorado and Washington, marijuana tourism has taken off since those states legalized recreational pot. Medical and recreational shops in Colorado sold about $700 million worth of marijuana in 2014, according to data from the Colorado Department of Revenue. Last year was the first for recreational sales in addition to medical. That translated into about $76 million in tax revenue in 2014 for Colorado. In Colorado and Washington, lavish tours can be purchased to visit growing facilities with a minibus or limousine picking customers up from the airport. Some of the additional options include cannabis cooking classes or a "cannabis-friendly" acrylic painting class and other workshops. Kush Tourism LLC, a company based in Seattle, offers a tour of one of the largest allowable growing facilities licensed by the state located in Seattle. The building encompasses 21,000 square feet and 3,000 marijuana plants. Chase Nobles, founder and co-owner of the company, said Oregon is on his radar and Kush Tourism is already exploring potential tours and lodging here. "We are full steam ahead for Portland specifically and all of Oregon in general," said Nobles. Nobles said the tours his company offers have had customers from Iceland, Switzerland, New Zealand and Russia. Many come from the East Coast as well, he said. "Tours are happening every day of the week sometimes," Nobles said. "We're doing tours constantly. "It's just really exciting that we're at the forefront of this whole movement and creating what the future is going to look like." While Central Oregon may be a location for large commercial growing operations, a major selling point could be production on a smaller, "craft" scale, similar to the breweries the region is known for. "It's quickly going to become like breweries in Central Oregon and become a tourist thing," said Joseph Escobar, a medical marijuana grower. Escobar, who started Pangaea Organics more than a year ago, grows for 16 patients through the Oregon Health Authority. Although the company will always grow for medical purposes, Escobar said he and his business partner have discussed selling recreational marijuana. It depends, however, on what recreational licensing will ultimately entail. "We've got to really be paying attention to the rules and regulations until things are set in stone," said Escobar. By Ted Shorack The Bulletin MailTribune.com By Ted Shorack The Bulletin Posted May. 14, 2015 at 3:45 PM Updated May 14, 2015 at 3:46 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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