Growing Concerns Facing Marijuana Businesses

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A shooting that killed two people at a cannabis dispensary in the St. Johns neighborhood last week stemmed from an armed robbery.

That’s according to police and an employee with the city of Portland’s cannabis program, who testified at City Council on Wednesday about growing concerns facing marijuana businesses locally.

The site of the shooting, the St. Johns branch of the La Mota dispensary chain, had been targeted in at least four previous armed robberies in the past three years, state records show.

“As time progresses, these criminals are getting more brazen and the consequences for our Portland businesses are becoming more severe,” said Christina Coursey, the cannabis and liquor programs manager.

Data from the Police Bureau showed 33 robberies were reported at cannabis businesses in the first half of 2023, a number higher than annual totals each year from 2016 to 2022. According to police, the highest number of offenses occur between 8 p.m. and midnight, often on Wednesdays.

The La Mota shooting occurred just after 9:30 p.m., police said. Among the four armed robberies since 2022, two took place close to 10 p.m.

What may make these businesses particularly vulnerable, Coursey said, is the fact cannabis businesses typically conduct business with cash. She presented the information as part of an annual report from the Cannabis Policy Oversight Team, an advisory body composed of industry representatives and community members.

She told city commissioners that they have heard from Portland police, local business owners and security experts who feel frustrated by the threat posed to “employees’ physical safety and overall public safety.”

A cannabis safety subcommittee recommended creating a pilot grant program funded from recreational cannabis taxes to adopt proactive video monitoring security systems at cannabis businesses, Coursey said. The video surveillance systems would assess an environment and notify a third party of a possible intrusion, meaning police may be able to respond while crimes are unfolding. Traditionally, cannabis businesses have used closed-circuit cameras with footage they can review after an incident.

The pilot program would prioritize neighborhoods with the highest crime rates, Coursey said. However, she noted that the new system would cost more and it could be months before the city can push for their funding and use.

Still, she said the recommendation is critical not only to protect the businesses but also help law enforcement quickly arrest people. Commissioner Mingus Mapps echoed her urgency.

“The legalization of cannabis has been successful except around safety issues,” Mapps said. “This is a space where we need to get much better.”