Green Eugene | Spring 2024

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

This one’s for the grinders. For all the cannabis consumers breaking the stigmas of the typical “stoner.” The people putting in hard work, whether that’s being a student, working a 9 to 5 or being an entrepreneur trying to change the game – this one’s for you.

For too long cannabis has been associated with laziness, lack of motivation and overall negativity. As we celebrate one of my personal favorite holidays with this issue, we would like to highlight those who break the traditional stigmas surrounding cannabis. In this issue of Green Eugene, you will get to read about cannabis from the perspective of UO professor Charlie Deitz, and athletes. Traditionally, the discussion of cannabis has been shunned from places like sports and academia. By bringing you articles like these, we’d like to introduce discussion around cannabis in places where it has historically been shunned.

Of course, we can’t celebrate 4/20 without shedding light on some of the local businesses in Eugene’s cannabis community. If you’re reading this on or before 4/20, be sure to participate in Chalice Farm’s 4/20 fair (map inside), and check out some of the other local businesses celebrating the holiday. Looking to expand your cannabis palette? Check out our strain of the month, Garlic Cocktail from Happy Haze, or make some cannabis-infused rice krispies using our edible recipe of the month. Interested in what local cannabis growers are up to? Check out the article on Donald Brodsky and his business, Obseshn Cannabis Co.

Finally, I would like to pay homage to previous Green Eugene editors, Skyla Patton and Kayl Wohl. Without them, I would not have the opportunity to edit this magazine, and as I step into the role of Green Eugene’s new editor in keif, I promise to uphold the standard of cannabis journalism that they have set in the past.

Armando Ramirez

STAFF

JAMES NIELSEN

FINDS COMMUNITY AND PURPOSE AT THE CHALICE SORORITY HOUSE

Written by Lizzy Solorzano | Designed by Gabriela Martinez |

After moving between dispensaries, James Nielsen has spent the last four years as a budtender at The Chalice Sorority House. What’s kept him there has been the community he’s found.

For Nielsen, The Sorority House has given him valued loyalty and friends in his coworkers. He believes that he has found a job that offers fulfilling work and strong bonds with his colleagues. His workplace is not only a job, according to Nielsen, but also a closeknit family.

“It’s trust, it’s camaraderie, it’s looking out for each other. We all have each other’s backs,” said Nielsen.

The loyalty between his coworkers continues when they share information about cannabis. When one budtender picks up new knowledge about a product, they are quick to share it so all budtenders are aware. Aside from researching on his own time, Nielsen said that sharing information between coworkers was how he was able to learn so fast.

“We’ve seen everything, we’ve dealt with everything. Any knowledge that someone else picks up is passed on to the next person. That way we’re all one cohesive unit,” Nielsen said. “I feel like it’s that camaraderie that keeps us knowledgeable with each other and like a family.”

Nielsen’s interest in cannabis increased because of the medicinal benefits cannabis can provide. He initially researched products independently, but he also gained insights from colleagues regarding the potential medicinal benefits. He encountered back problems with bulging discs at 28-years-old and learned that cannabis could aid his recovery. This is when he realized he wanted to educate consumers to help others with their recovery processes.

Photographed by Armando Ramirez

“Working here, and working with all the products has made me more knowledgeable,” said Nielsen. “It has made me a healthier person and has given me the chance to express that knowledge to other people which I’ve seen affect them personally.”

Though Nielsen started his cannabis journey with recreational use, his greater interest in its medicinal benefits has encouraged him to use cannabis “religiously” (and still at times recreationally) for the last six years. He has had some consumers share their experiences where they reduced their pharmaceutical medication intake because they felt that their well-being improved after taking his cannabis recommendations. His research extended to treats for pets, where he found CBD treats for his pug, Rebel, to help with his high separation anxiety.

“I think the education of terpenes is something that is not looked at,” Nielsen said. “I think a lot of people are doing a lot of number chasing. I might make a suggestion of something and it has the terpenes they’re looking for, the smell, the look but because it’s not a high THC number, they want nothing to do with it.”

Nielson is referring to the composition of cannabinoids in the entire cannabis plant that offers various medicinal properties besides THC. If a strain has a high THC content, it may not leave sufficient room for other cannabinoids to provide those medicinal properties.

Extending his knowledge to consumers has allowed Nielson to foster connections with them. He believes the dispensaries in Eugene have a friendlier atmosphere compared to others.

“I think having that personal touch is huge. You get to know your customers, you know what they want when they come in,” Nielsen said. “It’s almost to the point where you’re holding out a jar [of flower] for them as soon as they come in.”

Nielsen cherishes the personal connections he makes with the consumers. Occasionally, some will visit and bring treats for him and the other budtenders. Getting to know the consumers is one of the rewarding aspects of the job for Nielson.

“I have regulars who even text me to make sure I’m here,” said Nielsen. After switching to The Sorority House, he brought clients from his previous dispensaries so that they could continue seeing him. “I think those personal connections and the camaraderie with my peeps are huge when you work in a place like this.”

Nielsen loves the people he works with, highlighting the companionship fostered through playful antics like surprising each other with jumpscares, blasting music at full volume and sharing jokes. These interactions create a strong sense of community among them.

“I’d like to shout out Kalani, Kobi, Summer, Meg, CJ and Allie,” said Nielsen. “I want to show them some love.”

Nielsen is happy to have a job where the only “work” he has to take home is his bud.

“There’s no stress when I go home, I have great days when I’m here,” Nielsen said. “There’s nothing else I’d want to do.”

PERSPECTIVE ON CANNABIS: CHARLIE DEITZ, JOURNALISM INSTRUCTOR

Written by Armando Ramirez | Designed by Ryan Ehrhart

In a way, cannabis is what led Charlie Deitz to the career he has today.

Receiving his master’s and Ph.D. in communication and media studies at the University of Oregon, Deitz recently started his position as a full-time journalism professor at the UO School of Journalism and Communication. While Deitz is a respected educator, becoming a professor was not always his goal.

Deitz’ journey with cannabis started from humble beginnings in Tinton Falls, NJ smoking out of a soda can behind a coffee shop for his first cannabis experience.

Unfortunately, like many others who smoked cannabis prior to any form of legalization, Deitz ran into trouble with the law.

Growing up in the 90s, Deitz reflects on a change of police activity in his hometown. While Deitz was growing up, many of the police officers in his community were from neighboring cities, rather than being from the community themselves. “They had less loyalty to the community. So we became sort of like a fish in a barrel. It was an easy thing for cops to arrest people for.”

Deitz also reflects on getting searched by police regularly, and sometimes being caught with cannabis.

“Yeah, I got arrested a couple of times,” said Deitz. “Obviously, that was upsetting for my family, coming home in bracelets (handcuffs) or being picked up at the station.”

As a result of his run-ins with the law, Deitz had some issues when it came to finding a job early in his college career. “There was a lot of jobs that I just wouldn’t apply for because they would run a background check,” said Deitz, specifically referring to attempting to be a seasonal worker for the post office and a census taker at the Census Bureau in 2000.

“There was a time where I thought, ‘man, this could potentially derail my possibility for having a future stable career.’ That’s honestly, like, why I started getting into political science and pre-law because I really wanted to work on that particular thing,” said Deitz, referring to cannabis legalization.

Deitz would then go on to work with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws and the Green Party in North Jersey to work toward cannabis legalization. “It really kind of galvanized a lot of my sort of political fire,” said Deitz. “I later became a journalist because I felt like that’s what I really had a passion for, telling stories. So I had kind of lost interest in the weed thing, but it opened me up to a larger view of the world.”

When discussing his current outlook on the state of cannabis legalization Deitz is not surprised that it has been legalized medically and recreationally. To Deitz, legalization of cannabis seemed like a logical step moving forward.

One of Deitz’ concerns for the current state of the cannabis industry is the fear of conglomerates dominating the industry and consuming smaller “mom and pops” shops. Unfortunately, this has become a reality for many in the cannabis industry. “I feel like if it gets corporatized, then you run the risk of potentially putting customers in danger, and potentially putting good workers and artisans out of a job. I look at it almost as labor rights,” said Deitz.

Surprisingly, despite fighting for cannabis legalization for a number of years, Deitz has been bored by the current legal state of cannabis.

“Legalization sometimes makes things boring. It’s just plain now. It’s as easy to get as a Snapple at 7-Eleven,” said Deitz. “Here we are at the other end, something I cared about so much for a number of years. Now, it’s become sort of like passe.”

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Customers appreciate that variety, as well as many of the other offerings the dispensary has. Happy Haze wants to make sure there are options for everyone, regardless of budget, form of consumption or “unique things you might not be able to find in Eugene,” said Mann. Their offerings include a $2 gram available everyday, daily deals and a diverse selection of strains.

Cannabis products aren’t all Happy Haze offers though. You can purchase snacks in the shop to cover your munchies and expand your collection with new glass pieces. The variety they have is made possible by their inclusion of so many Eugene local businesses.

Happy Haze gives back to the community in various different ways. “We want to become part of the community and serve the community,” said Mann. From organizing events like their 4/20 picnic, using plastic container recycling and organizing with other cannabis businesses in Eugene, they have integrated themselves into the community.

“[We’re] trying to have our fingers in a bunch of different pots to help out,” said Max Burroughs, the General Manager of the shop. They are currently in the works of getting more involved by creating volunteer opportunities, getting a food donation box and working to develop a collective of cannabis industry establishments in town.

At first glance you may think that Happy Haze is just like every other dispensary, but they pride themselves on the special things that make them unique and stand out. “You’ll always be greeted with a smile, good vibes and weed knowledge,” said assistant general manager, Kelli Firnsin. If you have been looking for a dispensary where you can develop a connection with the budtenders and feel welcomed, consider visiting Happy Haze. You will be able to choose from a wide variety of products, engage with experienced and knowledgeable staff, get good vibes and leave happy before

Visit our website!

Happy Haze offers same day delivery, free with orders over $35, and pick-up orders from 10am-8.30pm.

You can get 10% off your first order if you join their rewards program.

garlic cocktail

Written and Photographed by Javay Frye-Nekrasova Illustrated and Designed by Lindsay Rogers

Walking into Happy Haze, I was in the mood for a fun strain. Of all the selections I saw, Garlic Cocktail sounded too good to pass up. The beautiful sparkle of the flower instantly piqued my interest. The abundance of trichomes, the hearty size of the nugs and the green coloring let me know that I was going to have a good time. The floral-fruity aroma sealed the deal for me.

Though I was expecting, or rather hoping, for it to smell like garlic, the true aroma was so pleasant I couldn’t say no.

This is a strain that even Dracula would risk it all for. Garlic Cocktail, grown by Oregrown Farm, is a delectable strain of flower that will have the garlic girlies in a delightful frenzy. Just like any good cocktail, Garlic Cocktail has a slow build to the high. The slow build brings you to a point of ease and relaxation, which for me made it easy to drift into a sweet slumber, having one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while.

Garlic Cocktail is an indica-dominant hybrid. It is a peppery-flavored strain with predominantly caryophyllene terpenes, as well as limonene and pinene terpenes. With a THC content of nearly 35%, this strain is a great choice for folks who prefer their strains a little more potent. Garlic Cocktail is created from crossing GMO Cookies and Mimosa strains. The strain is known to make users more happy and energized, which definitely fits the vibe of Happy Haze. It also helps with anxiety and depression, which can be beneficial as the term heats up or the demands of life become too overwhelming.

Whether you want to deter vampires, enhance your favorite garlic dish or just need some help relaxing, Garlic Cocktail has got you covered. Stop by Happy Haze to try Garlic Cocktail, they have it in many different forms so no matter what your preferred method of cannabis consumption is they have options. You can get flower, concentrate or pre-rolls. So cheers to a good time and a savory cocktail you never knew you needed.

What’s your Obseshn?

Written by Armando Ramirez | Designed by Rennick Coates and Abigail Raike | Photographed by Armando Ramirez and Bart Brewer

Launching recreationally three years ago, Obseshn Cannabis Co. is a local cannabis company growing premium indoor cannabis, experimenting with new strains as well as growing old favorites.

Donald Brodsky, CEO and Founder of Obseshn, wanted to create a business that stands apart from everything else in the Oregon cannabis industry. “I spent a lot of time and a lot of work on our branding, our messaging and who we are as a company and why we do what we do,” said Brodsky

Brodsky wants the cannabis grown by Obseshn to help fuel people’s obsessions. For example, his obsession is creating music, and he uses cannabis to give it that extra spark.

To give back to the community, Brodsky and Obseshn hope to collaborate with and promote various local artists and musicians every few months,“So it’s not just all things cannabis.” said Brodsky. “They do revolve around cannabis, but if we find someone doing really cool things within the community, it could be a nice way to highlight that and bring attention to it,” said Brodsky.

In addition to promoting local artists and musicians, Obseshn has also partnered with Northwest Dog Rescue, helping to build infrastructure and donating portions of their proceeds to rescue and rehabilitation of dogs in need. “We eventually want to do a CBD line where all the proceeds can go to them, and all sorts of different stuff that we can do to just be a community-minded company,” said Brodsky.

While Obseshn has only operated recreationally for around three years, Brodsky has been in the cannabis industry for well over a decade, initially growing medically.

“I was licensed under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and growing medically for both myself, my wife and patients starting in 2004, really early in the medical days for Oregon,” said Brodsky. “I took my skill of growing, to be able to not just supply me and my wife, but to supply flower for other people that had cancers and or were suffering from ailments that a cannabis treatment helped”.

In 2015, Brodsky bought Obseshn’s current facilities to grow cannabis medically. “I didn’t really think that we would go rec, the rec market and Oregon is just a mess,” said Brodsky.

Eventually, Brodsky decided to apply for a recreational cannabis license on a whim. Unfortunately, this was right before Oregon put a moratorium on cannabis licenses.

Following the moratorium, Brodsky didn’t hear anything for two and a half years. It was only in March 2021 that the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission sent him an email asking if he was still interested in obtaining a recreational cannabis license. “They were like ‘you’re on the last of the list of people that are going to still be awarded licensing in the state of Oregon before the moratorium,’” said Brodsky. “After talking about it with my partner, we decided that it was a good idea to obtain a license and transition the facility here from medical to rec.”

Obseshn has been producing high-quality cannabis since going recreational, taking advantage of their indoor operation by harvesting their crop every three weeks. Harvesting regularly has also allowed Brodsky to experiment with various strains, giving credit to his ability to grow entirely indoors. As a result, Brodsky has the ability to regularly experiment with and test new strains, and get them into production much faster than an outdoor cannabis grow would be able to. “If you’re strictly in an outdoor situation, that’s not really a reality,” said Brodsky.

Currently, Obseshn is in the process of breeding various new cannabis strains, but one in particular that Brodsky mentioned was a sativa strain called “Fur Slippers.”

“It’s something that is a cross of a genetic that I made years and years and years ago. So it’s kind of old-school genetics,” said Brodsky.

According to Brodsky, “Fur Slippers” is a strain that is unlike other strains of cannabis currently grown by Obseshn, having an incredibly unique nug structure, growing pattern and terp profile.

While Brodsky loves experimenting and creating various new strains, creating premium high-quality cannabis is his priority.

“It’s just experimenting over and over and over again to try to hopefully find the one gem,”said Brodsky.

“More often than not, you can spend a lot of time saying, ‘you know what, it’s good, but it’s not great,’ it’s not better than anything else that we’re doing, it doesn’t fill this little niche that we’re trying to find. And so we move on.”

4/20 STREET FAIR

Written by Lizzy Solorzano | Designed by Abigail Raike

The Chalice Sorority House has partnered with local businesses on 11th Ave. to organize a 4/20 street fair, where attendees can enjoy exclusive deals offered by each store.

Participating businesses include stores like Cheba Hut, Horai Farm, Pandita, Jim the Shoe Doctor, Minit Market, and White Rabbit Tattoo Collective.

“The basis of the event was between us and Cheba Hut because we’re both 420-oriented,” said CJ Rayson, The Sorority House store owner. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if we did our 420 events together?’ and even more so, make everybody else involved.”

During the event, attendees will use a map (located on the next page), starting at Cheba Hut or The Sorority House to navigate each participating location along the street. Upon making a purchase, they will receive a sticker to paste on the corresponding location on the map. Once all stickers are collected, participants will return to The Sorority House and exchange the completed map for a goody bag.

On its property, The Sorority House will host special live performances from local bands like Bowl Peace and Under the Clothesline.

Additionally, attendees can look forward to collecting Chalice Farm’s gear, indulging in donuts from the O’My Mini Donuts food cart and browsing a variety of artworks by local artists including canvas paintings, stained glass and pottery.

Other cannabis vendors like Willamette Valley Alchemy, Noblecraft Cannabis, and Happy Kitchen will also make appearances, providing customers with a wide range of options to choose from.

Although the street fair is a cannabis-themed event, it is open for everyone to enjoy. Tattoo lovers can find flash tattoos at White Rabbit Tattoo Collective and sneakerheads can find matching pairs of socks from Jim the Shoe

Doctor, or enjoy the company of the community. “For the local community, it’s really great because it could pull people from other parts of Eugene who don’t usually come down this street and are just looking for something fun to do,” Rayson said.

Rayson hopes to make this an annual event. Following several changes in ownership over the years, The Sorority House is now

“Before, when we were owned by these higher corporate companies from out-of-state, they didn’t really understand working with communities,” Rayson said. “Now, with new Oregon owners, they’re a lot more into community marketing and more Oregon-based stuff. They let us have more freedom on what we wanted to do in our areas.”

James Nielsen, a budtender at The Sorority House, encourages attendees to explore all aspects of the event to make the most out of their experience.

“I’m super excited about the street fair,” said Nielsen. “I think CJ wants to get an area around here so we have people hanging out, street fair stuff, people selling stuff they make at home, and make it bigger than people just coming and getting their [cannabis].”

Nielsen admires Rayson’s initiative in launching this event, recognizing its significant contribution to the cannabis culture in Eugene. He commends Rayson’s pioneering effort in organizing the event. “I feel like that’s something that hasn’t happened here yet,” Nielsen said.

“This is literally the weed capital of the United States. We’ve got the cheapest weed, we’ve had some of the dankest dabs longer than other places, so I feel like we’ve been lightyears ahead of everyone.”

Given Eugene’s deep-rooted cannabis culture, Rayson aims to destigmatize cannabis by organizing events like this to raise awareness of its benefits. Rayson notes the prevalence of alcoholcentric events, so he hopes to change that with events like this one to foster greater acceptance towards cannabis.

“For Oregon as a whole, I think there should be a lot more events like this, make cannabis a little more regular,” Rayson said. “There’s always kinds of events with [alcohol], it’s so normalized and I think that cannabis should be more normalized.”

Joshua Donaldson, the store owner of Cheba Hut, worked with Rayson to orchestrate this event. He believes that an event like this embodies Eugene because of its prominent cannabis culture and agrees that it could contribute to the de-stigmatization of cannabis.

“It helps showcase what we’re all about and what the cannabis industry is about,” Donaldson said. “It’s about connection, it’s about hanging out with people like your best friends, it’s about happy and uplifting times.”

Donaldson presumes that the calming aspects from cannabis can allow people to connect on a different level. He noted that lighting a joint at the park with friends on a sunny day offers a contrasting experience to a wild night of partying with alcohol.

“Alcohol has been in the spotlight I think a little bit too long,” Donaldson said. “Weed as a whole is such a different vibe that I think a lot of people are starting to tap into more.”

Because Cheba Hut’s theme revolves around weed, Donaldson said that there is often a misconception about the restaurant, with some assuming the employees might make mistakes on sandwich orders because they are too high. However, Donaldson aims to challenge the stigma by demonstrating that his employees can do their work well and still enjoy themselves.

“We don’t want to be professional stoners, we want to be stoner professionals,” Donaldson said. “It’s letting us be stoners but also showing that you can do the job, and that you’re not just some lazy person that doesn’t want to do anything.”

Donaldson said while each business stands to benefit from this event, it focuses more on collaborating with neighbors to foster a strong sense of community.

“Something that I love is that this is what Eugene is about, which is coming together, a lot of community outreach, a lot of working together towards a fun goal and just being there for your neighbor,” Donaldson said. “I think this is a great spotlight for that because it shows that we are not just all in it for ourselves but that we’re in it for the community. It’s really fun to give people something to come together for.”

Happy 4/20, everyone! In celebration of the holiday, Green Eugene will be setting up a table outside of the Chalice Sorority House, handing out magazines and interacting with the community from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by to grab your copy of Green Eugene on 4/20, and fill out the map for the 4/20 street fair provided in our magazine. I hope you all have an amazing 4/20, and if you do decide to partake in cannabis consumption, please do so safely!

Happy holidays, Armando Ramirez

*Must be 21 years of age or older to consume marijuana.

*Do not operate heavy machinery under the influence of marijuana. Keep out of reach of children.

CRAFTING BUD-TTER INFUSED

FRUITY PEBBLE KRISPIES

Written by Lizzy Solorzano | Designed by Ryan Ehrhart

This recipe was shared with me by my generous neighbors, Samuel Pearson and Lane McLaughin, who have taught me more about cannabis each time I visit. This recipe focuses heavily on making cannabis-infused butter, which requires the most time and attention.

Yet, with patience, I promise it will be worth it, as this butter can be added to enhance other cannabis culinary creations you choose to make.

INGREDIENTS:

– 9 cups of Fruity Pebbles (or Cocoa Pebbles)

– 1 bag of marshmallows

– 1 cup of weed

– 8 tablespoons of cannabutter

time all affect the strength of the butter. Having an extra stick of butter can come in handy to add gradually into the pot while cooking. It makes the result taste much more mellow.

3. Once fully melted, combine the weed into the mixture.

As I previously mentioned, this step demands the most time and attention.

The first step, a crucial one, is the decarboxylation of the weed. This is important because it activates the cannabinoids present like THC that allow you to get high. Without this step, you would not be able to feel the desired effects.

DECARBOXYLATION:

1. Preheat the oven to 245 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature activates the cannabinoids without burning the weed completely.

2. Put the desired weed amount into an oven-safe pan. It’s recommended to use a large sheet pan with parchment paper. The more evenly the weed is exposed to heat, the better. (Stems are okay, but they taste bitter. Feel free to remove them if you choose.)

3. Bake for 45 minutes or until it is almost golden brown.

The butter should be cooked on low heat to prevent the loss of cannabinoids through the burning. Airtight containers are also essential for its preservation.

CANNABUTTER:

1. In a large saucepan on the stove, put in 1/3 cup of water.

2. Put butter in, and heat on low until fully melted. Tip: 1 cup of butter for every 1 cup of weed. The strength of the weed, decarboxylation time and cooking

Keep on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring frequently, making sure it does not boil. It is possible to cook the butter for up to 5 hours, but the longer it cooks, the stronger it will be. 2-3 hours should do the trick.

When the time has elapsed, strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a container. You can repeat this process until no plant remnants remain. Allow the butter to sit for approximately 30 minutes for the butter to solidify. The water will fall beneath the butter, which you can discard.

Now that you have your cannabutter, it’s time to make the treats.

FRUITY PEBBLE KRISPIES:

1. Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. This avoids messy hands.

2. Melt the cannabutter in a large saucepan over mediumlow heat.

3. Once melted, add in the marshmallows, stirring frequently, until the mixture is completely melted together.

4. Pour in the cereal and stir until combined.

5. Once combined, place the mixture onto the pan and press down firmly to compact. Let it set and then slice it into bars.

Be sure not to forget to place the butter in the fridge. These sweet and gooey rainbow treats are a delightful way to eat a blend of a fruity flavor with a crispy texture, making them a fun nostalgic snack.

THE DETRIMENT OF CANNABIS CHARGES AND MOVING FORWARD IN TRIUMPH

Written by Jess Coronado | Designed by MaryClaire Lane

The United States has the highest incarceration rate on the planet. As of 2021, the U.S. incarceration rate stands at 664 per 100,000 people. The state of Oregon holds 555 people per 100,000. When counted individually, every state in the U.S. has a higher incarceration rate than any other country in the world.

Included in this mix are those who have been incarcerated for drug related charges, namely cannabis.

Since the legalization of cannabis in Oregon, people have not been incarcerated for cannabis-related charges as much as they used to be.

In Lane County, people tend to be cited for city code violations and misdemeanors rather than being convicted unless their offenses are paired with more serious charges. Nevertheless, there are those in Oregon who are still affected by cannabis-related charges.

Among all the charges in that time frame there were those concerning delivering marijuana, delivering marijuana to a minor, possessing marijuana in public view, unlawful manufacture of marijuana items and possessing marijuana while under the age of 21. Not all of the offenses from this time frame were chargeable offenses that could lead a person to get jail time. Nonetheless they still hold the potential to cocoon a person into the system, especially if they are minors.

555 of every 100,000 Oregonians are incarcerated

According to police reports, 74% of marijuana related offenses from 2021 to 2023 were from minors in possession and the marijuana use in a public space.

While convictions for marijauna-related charges are becoming less common, when they are enforced, alleged criminal involvement has profound, demoralizing and pernicious effects. For those who are coming out of the prison system or have been charged with marijuana related charges the world might seem like a sticky web of withholding.

Having drug-related charges on record, whether that be marijuana or something else, can cause employers to turn down a resume, friendships to dissolve, and undue stress to materialize from trying to stay financially and mentally afloat after release from jail or prison.

Stephanie Wiley, a sociology professor at the University of Oregon, is an expert in the field of criminology. She studies and teaches about the effects of the criminal justice system on the youth. Wiley believes her work is important because of the general unawareness in our society of how the harms in the school and justice system play out for those affected by them.

“Overwhelmingly, there is a negative impact,” Wiley said, when asked about the issues recently incarcerated people face. “They might be unable to get certain jobs, housing or student loans.”

In addition to the systemic issues, a recently incarcerated person might face interpersonal stigmas where people who have different backgrounds might not want to associate with them. According to Wiley, this might be because of the way incarceration is framed within our society. People tend to focus on the negative aspects entirely rather than the positive impact a person may have in their community.

“With any substance use it is important to consider the roots of this,” Wiley said. “Oftentimes when folks are incarcerated they are not getting treatment so when they get released they are faced with the same issues and they don’t have the ability to avoid the substance so they reenter the system again.”

Even though the odds seem to be stacked against people who have been incarcerated for marijuana possession, they can still surpass them triumphantly. Whether this attitude of determination comes from a desire to be valued and appreciated or from habits developed while incarcerated the effect has potential to inspire.

There is evidence of this in the experience of Camilla Mortensen, editor in chief of the Eugene weekly and instructor at the University of Oregon. Mortensen has worked with students and interns who were incarcerated and it has sparked a desire for change in our culture and society.

“Students that I have had and interns that I’ve had have made a mistake and learned from it,” Mortensen said.

74% of marijuana related offenses were from minors

Presently, the amount of people in the U.S. receiving cannabis-related charges is designated to a small portion of the country. In Oregon marijuana is legal. For places like Idaho, Wyoming and Kansas you can still be fined or charged with a felony for possession.

“Traditionally, there were a large number of folks who were serving sentences either because they might be paired with other types of offenses or sentenced under mandatory sentencing policies,” Wiley said. “The folks who used or possessed or sold marijuana made up a pretty sizable portion of those incarcerated and that’s still true in a lot of places.”

“It’s a whole lot easier to coast through life and never screw up than it is to screw up and turn your life around. Those life lessons build a certain empathy for other humans that makes people a better journalist and better reporter.”

Mortensen describes some of her best writers as people who have been incarcerated. One of her “top all-time writers,” was a student and intern who graduated from the UO School of Journalism and Communication to intern for the Wall Street journal and now writes for Law 360.

Data suggests that the number of federal offenders serving time for simple marijuana possession has lowered dramatically over the last decade. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, by the year 2022 there were no remaining offenders in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Cannabis in Sports

Written by Akila Wickramaratna

Athletes continuously seek ways to enhance their performance, whether that be high intensity training, watching highlight reels, or dietary plans to help growth and recovery. While they are not “athletes,” most people still partake in various sports because they find it enjoyable and find it a good way to stay fit. But, looking for ways to enhance your game doesn’t have to be as rigorous as we think.

In the past, indulging in cannabis was frowned upon, especially playing sports after consuming cannabis. As times changed and laws became more progressive, overall cannabis use has grown. With this growth people started to experiment with different strains, ways of consumption and overall usability in everyday life. As we know now cannabis has become open for recreational use and people use it for relaxation and for health benefits.

As cannabis use has become more common, some have begun combining cannabis use with sports. University of Oregon student Max Von Arx does just that.

Von Arx is the recipient of an Intramural Championship. He recalls that final game as a monumental moment in his intramural basketball career. An ankle injury kept him on the sidelines, missing the previous two games. Down 20 points, Von Arx found himself ripping his dab pen on the bench, eager to play. Despite the injury, he put on an ankle brace and laced up. His first play he walked down the court and hit a three, no warm ups, nothing. “First play I walked that b**** down and pulled that from deep…Splash,” said Von Arx.

His favorite way to consume cannabis are blunts rolled with Backwoods, as they taste the best compared to other forms of smoking according to Von Arx. He loves smoking cannabis because it not only enhances music and food, but elevates his game. Standing at 6’3, 210 lbs he loves

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basketball because it is a fast paced game with plenty of action.

“It’s just fun and, there is a lot more involvement than other sports, and lots of strategy…and I love dunking on people.” said Von Arx

Smoking makes Von Arx feel more creative and allows him to enjoy the game instead of being negative when he plays. He is a pass first type of player and loves getting others involved in plays at the UO Rec Center.

Basketball is not the only sport where cannabis consumption has appeared. Third year Oregon State student Ivo Kerefeyski believes consuming cannabis while climbing unlocks a new type of freedom.

Kerefeyski enjoys smoking cannabis either from a bong or blunt. He likes to consume cannabis as a way to relax and stay grounded when feeling overwhelmed. “I think it has performance enhancing benefits like helping you get into the flow state quicker and as well as helping with recovery after working out,” said Kerefeyski. Cannabis allows Kerefeyski to focus on climbing instead of worrying about the negatives.

“It helps me focus on what’s in front of me when I’m in a scary position high up instead of falling,” said Kerefeyski. These freedoms while climbing allows Kerefeyski to have fun with his sport and takes out the fear of failing.

Cannabis allows people to stay on their grind while enjoying themselves. Staying active, perfecting their craft, all while being enjoying its benefits. You don’t need to sacrifice cannabis to be active, and you certainly don’t need to sacrifice being active for cannabis. As society starts to learn more about cannabis, hopefully the stigma behind its lazy unmotivated stereotype will be replaced with its benefits.

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