Pubdate: Mon, 16 May 2016
Source: Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)
Copyright: 2016 Statesman Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/QEzJupzz
Website: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/427
Author: Gordon Friedman, Statesman Journal

REPORT: OREGON'S MARIJUANA MARKET IS A JOB-CREATOR

Legalization of marijuana in Oregon has created at least 2,165 jobs
and will add more as the market matures, a new report suggests.

Nearly $46 million in payroll will be paid to retail cannabis
employees statewide in 2016, according to the "Oregon Cannabis Jobs
Report," sponsored by cannabis industry consulting firms New Economy
Consulting and Whitney Economics.

By comparison, Oregon's beer, wine and liquor sector employed 1,450
people and paid $28 million in wages in 2015, according to Employment
Department data.

The department estimates there are nearly 2,500 dispensary employees
statewide.

But the industry report delves beyond employment numbers and into
potential effects of the cannabis industry. It concludes the market is
"much stronger" than previously thought.

The total economic impact of paying cannabis workers could be in the
hundreds of millions, said Beau Whitney, one of four authors of the
report. As cannabis workers spend their wages, they cause an economic
"ripple effect," he said.

Other key findings of the report include:

- - About $46 million in payroll to retail cannabis workers is expected
in 2016, with a potential economic effect of $196 million by 2017 year-end.

- - Up to 27 percent growth is anticipated in retail cannabis jobs by
the end of 2017, based on high-growth projections.

- - The cash-only nature of business makes it difficult to provide
benefits to employees.

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which oversees marijuana
business licensing, has received more than 950 license applications.
Ten have been granted.

The report's authors gathered their data by conducting confidential
telephone and online surveys of dispensaries registered with the
Oregon Health Authority.

The survey achieved a 55 percent response rate. Its margin of error is
+/-10 percentage points.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D