Canna Medicine Medical Marijuana Dispensary is OPEN for Business

Canna Medicine is the biggest dispensary in Salem and, according to the State inspector, may be the second largest in Oregon.

Bonnie King, Publisher of Salem-News.com-Sep-04-2015

The PRF of Salem's Canna Medicine, Crystal Young, welcomes patients to the new location. Photo: Bonnie King

(SALEM, Ore.) - After four long months of building rehab, demolition and renovations, all the hard work is paying off. Canna Medicine is open for business, with all official permits and certifications properly – and proudly- displayed.

“We are beside ourselves, so happy to be open!” said Crystal Young, PRF (Person Responsible for Facility).

The new location at 3212 Triangle SE used to be B Mer’s Can Can Room. The “Can Can” is now a thing of the past, and now the well-known property houses an anxiously-awaited Cannabis dispensary, Canna Medicine.

“We want to invite all OMMP patients to please stop by and check out the new digs. We will continue to improve the facility, which we are excited about, and I know our clients will enjoy the incredible difference in this building if they saw it before.”

True, I saw the building go from a musty, dark and dreary bunch of rooms a few months ago to the light and airy “Casa Blanca” feel of today.

“We are really excited to expand into this wonderful space, and share this awesome atmosphere with the community,” said Young.

With knowledgeable bud tenders behind the product bar, they can answer your questions. Prices are reasonable, some say the lowest in Salem.

The product line is enticing with a colorful and impressive selection.

“We will have all of our regular vendors back on the shelves within a couple of weeks,” said Young. “We also have some new ones, which are going to please patients.”

A worthy selection of vendors includes Eclipse Farms, Golden Xtrx, Kannatonic, Jolly Bees, empower topicals, Lunchbox Alchemy and many more offering a wide selection of smokable cannabis, and concentrates, from RSO, to shatter and waxes, cartridges for vape pens and more.

In addition, the facility will soon be offering an on-site medical clinic for those patients seeking to apply for a new (or renew) Oregon Medical Marijuana Permit.

“We have many exciting plans for Canna Medicine, and this property gives us the room to make it a reality,” said Crystal Young.

“We work closely with expert, experienced growers and processors, and our clients benefit from the quality cannabis on our shelves.”

A second Canna Medicine location opened in October 2014 in Newport, Oregon (157 NW 15th St) and quickly has created its own reputable place in the industry. With manager Sharry Burwood at the helm, the Newport store was voted #1 dispensary in the city recently by the readers of the local newspaper.

PRF Crystal Young and product

“We are bringing a client base of 3,000 with us to this new Salem location. Our store here has been closed for months, but we are back stronger than ever and looking forward to seeing all of our past clients again. If you’re new, or just new to this great location, come on by for a gift bag,” Crystal Young encouraged.

“We’re open 11-8 Mon-Sat and 12-7 on Sundays. We’re even available by appointment on holidays. We welcome pre-orders. If you’re a patient, just give us a call and we’ll have your medicine ready for you.”

Salem’s Canna Medicine medical marijuana dispensary is owned by Red Dirt Co-op. It has been operating in Salem, Oregon for 3 years, previously located on State Street.

Ending Prohibition Creates “Dry Towns”

Applications for retailers that want to open stores for recreation sales will be accepted on January 4, 2016. “Early sales” starting Oct. 1, 2015 was approved by the Oregon Legislature, and only applies to licensed OMMP dispensaries in cities that have not chosen to “opt out” of recreational sales.

As of September 3, 2015, the OLCC released this list of cities and counties prohibiting licensed recreational marijuana facilities. They are the cities of Ontario, Vale, Nyssa, Sandy, Island City, Sutherlin, Junction City, Brownsville, Jordan Valley, John Day, Creswell, Sweet Home, Manzanita, Adrian, Elgin, and Baker City; and Umatilla, Douglas, Harney, Malheur, Wheeler, and Crook Counties. (See: OptOut) 

Owner Jim and the Newport staff

On August 31st, the Salem City Council approved recreational sales. Oregon’s capital city will not join the list of “dry towns”, where residents will travel out of their own area to legally purchase marijuana.

Taxes procured via marijuana sales will not be enjoyed by the “dry” towns and counties, but the 21+ adults that live there may, possibly, take advantage of their new-found freedom and they will likely use marijuana. The black market will just benefit more in the “dry” areas.

On October 1st, Canna Medicine will offer products to recreational clients over 21 years old. “Rec clients” will be allowed to purchase ¼ ounce of marijuana a day, and their name and date of birth will be recorded on their receipt, by state law.

Crystal Young explained what people should expect at Canna Medicine. “Every person’s ID will be checked at the door, medical patients also show their valid OMMP card as usual. The recreational clients will have a counter where they can buy cannabis buds, or flowers. No other products will be available for recreational use at this time.”

At Canna Medicine, the medical patients will see products out of the view of other clients. Patients have access to topicals, edibles, oils, candies, clones and “flowers”.

“We’ll have two registers so no medical marijuana patient will ever be waiting behind rec clients. We respect the privacy of all our clients, and our priority is meeting their needs.”

A resource library is available for perusing while patients and clients are in the building; it is a work in progress.

“We’re asking everyone to donate any new or well-loved marijuana books and magazines so that others may benefit from them.”

“We have a communal area where clients can sit and visit, study materials and share information. Education is key,” said Young.

“There’s no partaking of cannabis on the premises, but we can sure talk about it!”