It’s no secret that Oregon is experiencing a serious over-abundance of cannabis—right now, there are hundreds of thousands more pounds being produced than there are being consumed. There is a multitude of reasons for this, and the softness of the market means hard times for growers and producers across the state.

So we need to step it up, people—it’s time to double down on those doobies.

Fortunately for consumers, the surplus has resulted in a drop in prices for flower and products like concentrates and vape-pen cartridges. Well, mostly. The costs associated with growing, testing, and marketing these products have not dropped, and some brands are holding fast and not reducing their prices. But if you’re looking to stretch your weed dollar, there are lots of deals to be found, with some prices hitting subterranean levels.

I decided to see if the fire sales at local dispensaries resulted in any truly fire products. Out of what I picked up, only one required a coupon, obtained through an email sign-up. A couple of items were absolutely free, although an Oregon Medical Marijuana Program card was required. But all were available to the general public, and weren’t because of any industry insider or “family” discounts—what I paid is what anyone would have paid. My OMMP card made all my purchases tax-free, so for those items available to recreational consumers, add on the cannabis sales tax in your county (in Multnomah, the tax totals 20 percent).


Northeast Sandy’s Panacea Dispensary offers a free medicine program, in which OMMP cardholders, including caregivers, can receive an eighth of flower per day at absolutely no charge, although a buck in the tip jar is a nice gesture if you have it. The tested flower is donated by OLCC growers, and the selection rotates roughly every week, available as long as the flower lasts. Last month, I got flower from 7 Points Oregon and a CBD Chocolate Bar from Grön.

Grön Chocolate

On my most recent visit, they offered an eighth of Blue City Diesel, produced by Corner Creek Farms with 14.35 percent THC and 1.562 percent CBD. It was well manicured, and the tight buds were optimally cured with a great scent. A small bud vaped up nicely with nuanced flavor notes, producing a clear-headed, functional high. Panacea, 6714 NE Sandy, panaceapdx.com

Blue City Diesel by Corner Creek Farms

Doctor’s Orders Dispensary’s website offered an ounce of Grape Stomper or Cherry Pie for $49, with a coupon from the dispensary’s email list. The small dispensary on 82nd had a friendly budtender who explained the strains were sungrown, and both in the low-20-percent THC range. The Cherry Pie was fine, but the Grape Stomper had a fuller nose. My OMMP caregiver card got the cost of the ounce down to $40.

The flower had been tested back on October 24, 2017, so the buds were drier than I prefer. I put them in a Boveda brand humidity pack for 24 hours, which rehydrated the weed so it vaped smoothly, and it reduced both pain and motivation. (Why? Aged THC converts into CBNA, which begets CBN, a cannabinoid that imparts a lethargic effect. Older weed = sleepy effects.) It was great for end-of-day, feet-up relaxation. Doctor’s Orders Portland, 3424 NE 82nd, doctorsordersdeals.com


In the “small mall” at Southeast 148th and Powell sits GroHi Station, a dispensary that offered the absolute lowest price I have ever seen: $6.50 for a one-gram CO2 extracted CBD vape cartridge (with 63.48 percent CBD and 2.41 percent THC). I’d seen but never tried the Who? (Walking Happy Oil) brand, and a Google search did not yield any reviews. It hit fine, but CBD rarely does much for me. For those who respond well to CBD and love to vape, ka-ching.

GroHi also had several different kinds of one-gram butane hash oil (BHO) selling for $12. I selected Lemon Haze for its distinct citrus scent and sugary texture. It clocked in at just over 67 percent THC, so, yeah, a dab got me stoned. What kind of stoned? The sort when you smoke a dab, cough violently, and then your eyelids sweat. GroHi Station, 14812 SE Powell, grohipdx.com

GroHi Station

These types of screaming deals are becoming more commonplace, and are ideal for those with a tight budget—especially medical patients who rely on cannabis to treat their symptoms. It’s probably not a bad idea to sign up for the mailing lists of your local dispensary and favorite brands, and follow them on social media for flash sales and specials. But don’t forgo your spendier favorites if they work better for you—there’s never a good reason not to treat yo’self.