Oregon launched its first time ever grower's fair on Saturday, where a lot of people gather to see and compete for the best pot plants to be showcased at the Oregon State Fair. The plant - it's marijuana.
The Oregon State Fairgrounds hosted the two-day program which took place in the exhibition hall. The once-illegal cannabis begins to go trending in Oregon which is one of the four states that made the consumption of recreational marijuana legal together with Washington, D.C.,NBC News reported.
"It is a historic event. It's a great opportunity to meet these growers that typically were underground," said fair organizer Mary Lou Burton. "We're trying to get people connected up and networking."
There will be nine winners from the pot-plant category and will have the privilege to display their winning entries at the Oregon State Fair. Winning plants will be kept in a small greenhouse with strict security, abc6 News reported.
The state fair starts from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5. The self-styled "Guru of Ganja" Ed Rosenthal will judge potted marijuana plants which, will be cited the traditional blue, purple, and yellow ribbons. The show is available to people aged 21 and up, and the plants should be in a pre-flower state without any THC buds. Winning marijuana plants are chosen for different varieties including indica, hybrid, and sativa.
The business might be expanding causing Oregon's Legislative Revenue Office made its estimate four times net state tax revenues. The state is expecting the sale of recreational marijuana to be $8.4 million to $35 million up to June 30, 2017.
However, under federal law, marijuana is still considered an illegal drug and entrepreneurs cannot use banks for their business.
NorthWest Safe Sales of Oregon City owner, Jerry Fee, sees the banking inhibition a banking opportunity and considers displaying four strong-looking safes. Price starts at $800 to $15,000.
Last Thursday, the Drug Enforcement Administration stated that marijuana will stay as a Schedule 1 substance based on the Controlled Substances Act. Growers, however, will not be deterred and will proceed with the state fair next week.