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Large Cannabis Surplus Drives Down Oregon's Prices

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Bagged cannabis.
Steffen Geyer

Oregon has more cannabis than it can sell, and that’s causing prices to plummet. That from an industry firm tracking cannabis trends. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

Bagged cannabis.
Credit Steffen Geyer / Flickr.com

Economists with New Frontier Data in Washington D.C. say there was half a million pounds of excess marijuana grown in Oregon last year. And with no way to export the surplus legally, wholesalers are dramatically slashing prices.

Chief Knowledge Officer John Kagia says when marijuana was first legalized in Oregon, outdoor pot could run between $1200 to $1500 a pound…and indoor pot between $2500 to $3000 a pound.  

“I recently spoke to a retailer in Oregon, he had found “fire sale” deals, about 50 pounds at $150 a pound," Kagia tells KLCC. " This is a very, very dramatic reduction from where we were 12 months ago, and the concern is that with this excess inventory, that trend is going to continue.” 

New Frontier Data says it’ll take up to 18 months for Oregon’s cannabis market to clear its surplus inventory. In that time, many businesses will likely sell their licenses or shutter.

Copyright 2018, KLCC. 

Copyright 2018 KLCC

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Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. He is a 20-year reporter who has worked at NPR, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including three Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award in 2012.