March cannabis sales in Oregon set a new monthly record with $84.5 million – a 37 percent increase from the same time last year, Willamette Week reports. The previous record, set in July 2019, was just about $80 million.
The record-breaking month comes amid the state’s coronavirus response, which includes a stay-at-home order issued on March 23. On average, sales per cannabis retailer were about $135,000 – a 30 percent increase from March 2019.
According to the report, flower comprised more than half of total sales, while concentrates and extracts accounted for the second-highest market share.
Matt VanSickle, an Oregon Liquor Control Commission spokesperson said the sales appeared to be “stocking up type of activity” adding that “the next two weeks returned to slightly below their early March sales levels.”
VanSickle told KOIN that February’s sales were also 20 percent higher from February 2019 and that there was a 21 percent increase in March’s sales over February’s.
Despite the record-breaking month, Bridge City Collective owner Dave Alport told the Bend Bulletin that while the “average purchase is higher, the impact on sales is negligible.” He also said his payroll and cleaning costs have gone up after hiring delivery drivers and implemented enhanced sanitation practices.
“From what I can gather, there’s no increase in consumption tied to the pandemic or people staying home. But people’s shopping and spending habits have changed.” – Alport to the Bulletin
Tyson Haworth, owner of Oregon’s Finest, told the Bulletin that his sales have dipped since the stay-at-home order but he has hopes that the 4/20 “season” will help the company see pre-pandemic levels.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s stay-at-home order does not have an end date.
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