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Oregon News “dispensing” medication, including food, and went into effect only four months after opening.
Oregon's First True Cannabis Restaurant Opens In Ashland By Keith Mansur Oregon Cannabis Connection Two enterprising men in Ashland, Oregon made a courageous decision in April and decided to open a restaurant that serves food medicated with cannabis. Open only to Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) patients and caregivers, Earth Dragon Edibles Restaurant and Lounge opened to much hoopla in April, and held a Grand Opening on April 27th, with every media outlet around showing up and interviewing the owners and clients.
Proprietor Kevin Wallace, adding cannabis infused oil to a Mongolian grill dish
The proprietors, Michael Shea and Kevin Wallace, opened Earth Dragon to fill a need in the community for quality foods medicated with cannabis. Having a background in cannabis edibles for a while, they decided to open a “brick and mortar” place where they can offer the many products they created. They're also offering a few new dishes they cooked up, which are made on site and to the patients specifications. The location also has space in the back for patients to vaporize or smoke cannabis, as well as drink refreshments and watch T.V. Another restaurant opened a few years ago in Colorado, The Ganja Gourmet, but they were more of a “club” or “lounge” atmosphere. Ganja Gourmet not only did not make any food on site, all medication amounts were predetermined in each dish. They also were forced to offer all items on a “to-go” basis when Colorado passed a law forbidding any medicating on-site. It applied to any place
The decor is more that of a restaurant, and not a lounge or club.
What separates Earth Dragon from any other cannabis club is their food, and their ability to add 3 levels of medication in some dishes. With a large Mongolian grill on site, they offer typical Mongolian grill dishes, in different sizes, and with different amounts of cannabis medication available, or none at all (they thoroughly clean the grill between dishes). By using cannabis infused grape seed oil, they are able to apply different amounts to offer different strength dishes to patients. 2 Patients, Darryl and Dave, were there enjoying meals, and had traveled over from Klamath Falls. When they heard on the news of the grand opening, they decided to visit the new restaurant. They were trying the spaghetti that was offered and Customers Dave and Darryl, speaking with a TV reporter. said, “It's really good.” Another visitor, and friend of the owners, explained how the owners operate the restaurant. He said, “They are stressing responsibility with all their clients that come in.” He added, “It shouldn't be any different than any bar in town.” In addition to the grill and the spaghetti, they also offer a stew made with garbanzo beans that was excellent. They have many types on pre-medicated dishes, including, cookies, honey, candies, and more, including Shea's amazing caramels, with a nice size dose of medicine. They only accept “donations” for their meals, and have suggested prices, trying to stay within the bounds of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act, which does not allow anyone to “sell” marijuana, only be reimbursed for the material cost of production. Of course, there are concerns from some officials about medicating on site, and the overall legality of their restaurant and lounge. The Ashland Police chief, Terry Holderness, explained to the Ashland Daily Tidings, “If they're running a business in violation of medical marijuana laws, we'll put Cont. on Page 7
Rosenblum Wins When asked to clarify her comments, she said, “I think that the attorney generals and DAs and anyone else in leadership positions in government have to set priorities for the department that's under their watch...that's what I meant by that.” As early as the Eugene City Club debate, way back on March 16th, the candidates were asked if they would defend the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act...“vigorously”. Rosenblum said, “Absolutely. Its the law that is on the books, its the law that the people passed. It provides for many of our vulnerable citizens to obtain medicine that they need to cope with very difficult diagnosis that they have. I am an Oregonian, I lived here when that law passed. I understand the culture of the State and why we need to have that law.” When she explained her background, and her vision, of the Oregon Attorney General's office, she defended the rights of Oregonian's, stating, “[That's] what Attorney General's office is all about, state government, state courts, not federal courts.” But, Dwight Holton's ideas were very different. He stated, “It's the Attorney Generals job is to defend the laws on the books, however, I would join with the many people...who are anxious to look at modifications of that law. The OMMP, as it is currently running, I believe is a 'trainwreck', because its putting marijuana in the hands...of kids who are not using it for pain management purposes.” At the same time Holton was accusing Rosenblum of caving into special interest groups, he was receiving many campaign contributions of his own from special interests he supports. Many of these groups represent Law Enforcement or Union groups and include Multnomah County Prosecuting Attorneys Association and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Cannabis Connection Rosenblum's support from the medical marijuana community came after she had already vowed to back Oregon's laws, and not infringe on patients' rights. Most of her financial contributions Brent Kenyon of Southern from Oregon Alternative Medicine with Rosenblum marijuana on election night. advocates came after she had stated her beliefs, due in no small way to the fact that Holton supports the program's curtailment. Her feelings on the issue are deep seeded, and lived here when the OMMA was enacted, unlike Holton. Longtime activist and Owner of Southern Oregon Alternative Medicine, Brent Kenyon, was able to attend Rosenblum's victory celebration on election night, and had a chance to speak with her, albeit briefly. He told OCC, “She's not going to spend any taxpayer dollars pursuing people that are legal under state laws.” “She shows interest in working with the cannabis community to better our law, based on what the voters of Oregon want to see, not what law enforcement decides,” Kenyon said. Kenyon hopes that Rosenblum will be proactive in finding solutions to Oregon's medical marijuana program, even including a solution to safe access. Knowing how Holton behaved as US Attorney for Oregon, the medical marijuana movement in Oregon was not going to let Holton run roughshod over the program Oregonian's put in place over 13 years ago. The election of Ellen Rosenblum was a defining moment in Oregon's future, and the future of medical marijuana, not just in Oregon, but possibly nationwide.