Inside look at a local dispensary near the University of Oregon. Image credits: Leafly.
Oregon was one of the first states to decriminalize cannabis, and in 2014, voters legalized recreational cannabis. Since then, the Beaver State has been a popular cannabis-using state, medically and recreationally. In fact, according to Verilife, Oregon is the state with the most cannabis dispensaries per capita.
Tucked in southeastern Oregon, the city of Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, and in 2020 was ranked fourth nationally in cities with the most dispensaries with a population of at least 50,000, according to a study conducted by Verilife.
PotGuide reports that there are over 50 dispensaries in Eugene, and more than 600 dispensaries in the entire state of Oregon. One of those local shops is Eugene OG.
Eugene OG
Eugene OG is located in Eugene — a city that many know for its lush greenery (of both the cannabis and non-cannabis kind). The dispensary is just a short walk from the University of Oregon (UO) campus. It opened in September 2014 as a medical-only dispensary, shortly after voters approved recreational cannabis in Oregon. Although they are now a recreational and medical dispensary.
Post from @eugene_og_541 on Instagram.
Eugene OG features cannabis that is grown locally in the Pacific Northwest, according to the company’s homepage.
Due to its close proximity to UO and student housing, many of the shop’s regular customers are students.
Eugene OG’s social media coordinator and employee of five years, Joseph Hughes, tells Emerald that a group of friends who wanted to have a local first dispensary and pave the road for legalization founded Eugene OG.
Hughes also shared that Eugene OG has a sister company Pud’s Buds, also located in Eugene, and grows and supplies cannabis at their farm in Eugene, and distributes it all over Oregon.
Ambiance
When first entering the shop, there is a small lobby with hand sanitizer and a place for people to wipe their feet and leave their umbrellas (since it’s always so rainy in Oregon). The lobby also has t-shirts and other merchandise that is for sale.
The atmosphere inside the shop is very open and inviting. There are pieces of local artwork on the walls throughout the store, and there are plants in the lobby which helps create a zen and healthy atmosphere for customers. There is also a built-in smoke shop located right behind a glass window.
While many dispensaries only accept cash due to the fact that cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, Eugene OG accepts card payments, which is extremely convenient if customers only have a card on hand. However, in the back of the shop, there is an ATM if one would prefer to pay with cash.
The employees behind the counter are very friendly. They greet customers as soon as they walk in, and ask if there are any questions or want any recommendations. The store has a walk-up counter with a glass case with different products. Additionally, there is a shelf behind the counter with jars filled with different strains and cannabis.
The dispensary lists all the product prices on a screen behind the counter. The prices are about the average prices of most dispensaries. I bought two hybrid double-decker pre-rolls, and because it was recently my 21st birthday, the budtender who was helping me gave me a 15% discount, which was very much appreciated.
The joints were very good quality, as they were rolled properly and didn’t have too strong of a taste. I would definitely purchase these again next time I’m looking for a quality pre-roll.
Products
Eugene OG has a wide variety of cannabis products and accessories. Aside from pre-rolls, they also have CBD oil, dab pen batteries, cartridges, edibles, flower, pipes, and bongs.
The dispensary also has weekly specials on certain products. For example, on Mondays, they offer a 10% discount on cartridges, all flower, and all accessories. On Tuesdays, the deal is 15% off all edibles. On Wednesdays, all 1 gram dabbable extracts are $5 off. Additionally, on the weekends, there is a 10% deal on brand-specific products that changes weekly, and $2 off all 1 gram prerolls. They also offer senior, veteran, and industry employees discounts everyday.
The dispensary places an emphasis on supporting local businesses in the Eugene area, as Hughes explains. “We are completely dedicated to providing an outlet for quality Oregon companies and artists. We have a full smoke shop built into our shop that features local artisan accessories, all handmade and unique.”
When making a purchase, the employees explain the loyalty program and ask if customers would like to sign up to earn rewards. Customers receive a point for every dollar they spend.
Post from @eugene_og_541 on Instagram.
Website
There is also an online ordering/delivery option which is listed on the website. Customers can either order ahead for pickup, or have their items delivered to them.
The website is easy to use and navigate, as it clearly provides the categories available when entering the homepage. The homepage gives a brief description of the dispensary itself, the staff, and what Eugene OG stands for, which is providing locally-grown cannabis at an accessible price. This is why the owners founded Eugene OG in the first place.
The homepage also clearly includes Eugene OG’s phone number and a link to their Instagram. The menu tab is extremely organized, as it categorizes all of the products with their prices and brief descriptions. The menu also includes sale items, staff picks, and bestsellers. This feature is helpful for those who are not familiar with cannabis or all the products Eugene OG carries but are interested in trying them.
Community
Being a local dispensary, cultivating community is important. According to Hughes, Eugene OG also participates in community events around Eugene, such as Toys for Tots, White Bird fundraising, and river clean ups. Additionally, they sponsor fundraiser shows for barbers and also have youth-oriented skate competitions.
“We have many friend companies. From barbershops to tattoo shops, our community sticks out for each other and sponsors fundraisers and events throughout the year,” Hughes explained.
Hughes also shared that Eugene OG is currently trying to raise funds for a past employee, Jesse, who had a sudden medical emergency and is going to need help covering his hospital expenses. A donation link to the go fund me can be found in Eugene OG’S Instagram bio.
Post from @eugene_og_541 on Instagram.
Being a local dispensary, Eugene OG values their employees and the Eugene community, while providing quality cannabis at a reasonable price.
“We consider ourselves family and everyone’s opinion about the space affects our experience for the customers,” Hughes explains about the dispensary’s employee culture.
Cannabis is what we do with it 🙂