As big day arrives, pot giveaway trips up Bend dispensary

Bend medical marijuana dispensaries and residents alike celebrated legal recreational cannabis Wednesday with private parties, informational booths and free joints that were, at one celebration, apparently gifted out of compliance with state rules.

“We gave away about 1,000 joints before the state called us at 4 (p.m.) and asked us to stop,” Diamond Tree owner Sam Stapleton said Wednesday evening. “They weren’t mad — they were really nice, and we stopped giving them out right away.”

Stapleton said he didn’t realize the state’s newly implemented marijuana gifting rules didn’t apply to medical marijuana dispensaries.

“I thought we were in compliance,” he said, adding that he interpreted Oregon’s new law to allow any individual to gift marijuana to adults over the age of 21.

Officials with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which oversees the implementation of recreational pot, told NewsChannel 21 the Oregon Health Authority still makes all the rules dispensaries as well as regulations.

“There is still confusion out there,” OLCC Communications Director Tom Towslee said by phone. “There was a similar incident today in Medford.”

Calls to the Oregon Health Authority were not immediately returned, but information on its website says, “Transfer of marijuana to a non-OMMP cardholder on dispensary property is not allowed.”

But before the state stepped in, hundreds came out to Diamond Tree to grab a joint, learn about the recreational rules, enjoy a BBQ and participate in the historic day.

“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders,” Bend resident Matt Everhart said. “It’s not like it changes a lot of things in my life — I’ll be honest, I’ve been using it for a very, very long time, but now knowing that I don’t have to worry about silly things.”

Another man said, “It’s nice to be able to have a joint in my pocket and not have to worry about it, or have a pipe in my car.”

Bend dispensary Oregrown celebrated by setting a booth up outside its Wall Street shop, where employees gave out information on the rules and sold T-shirts and sweatshirts.

“It’s surreal,” co-owner Hunter Neubauer said. ” I woke up this morning and just kind of looked up at the ceiling and was like, “Wow, is this really happening? It’s really happening!'”

Bend resident Stephanie Martin said she’s been waiting 47 years for this day.

“For the first time, I feel like I am not an outcast, and I don’t have people looking at me and giving me dirty looks,” Martin said.

Dispensaries are hopeful they’ll soon expand services to recreational marijuana.

“We want to build upon the microbrewery industry, which is so successful, and create a cana-tourism-based approach here in Central Oregon,” Neubauer said.

Stapleton said he also has an interest in recreational marijuana.

“We’re obviously going to go where the market is,” Stapleton said. “There’s a few more months for the rules on that to come out, so we’re still waiting like everyone else.”

So far it’s unclear when lawmakers will allow recreational marijuana to be bought and sold, and if dispensaries will be allowed to sell it for recreational purposes.

Even with so much uncertainty surrounding the rules, legalization was an important milestone for those passionate about marijuana.

“The fact that it’s being so publicly accepted is big new, and very good news,” Everhart said.

It’s a day many said they’d remember forever.

“It’s a beautiful experience to witness something so phenomenal,” said Bend resident Aubrieana Morrissey.

Consuming marijuana in public is not allowed, and can come with hefty fines. People who drive stoned can also be charged with DUIIs.

To learn more about the law and rules, visit: whatslegaloregon.com.