Estimate: Initial pot sales strong

Oregon's budding recreational marijuana industry estimated strong sales during the state's first week of legal retail sales.

In the first five days, it's estimated Oregon cannabis retailers sold more than $11 million of marijuana, according to Casey Houlihan, executive director of the Oregon Retailers of Cannabis Association.

Houlihan said the first day alone pulled in $3.5 million in sales.

Oregon sales easily outpaced the first week of sales in Colorado and Washington. Colorado's first week of sales reached $5 million. In Washinton state, sales during the first month hit $2 million.

Houlihan said one reason Oregon fared better was because it has fewer restrictions on retailer, processor and grower participation.

That, coupled with the already existing medical marijuana market infrastructure and a strong costumer base provided a smooth transition into recreational sales.

Houlihan said the benefits of the recreational market are clear to businesses, many of whom have seen long lines of customers.

Some of those customers are breaking stereotypes of the typical cannabis user.

"That's certainly been the case from shop owners," Houlihan said, "since they're telling me that customers lining up are in many cases 50 to 65 and haven't purchased marijuana in decades, but they're just happy to have the opportunity to do so," he said.

gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6653, on Twitter @gordonrfriedman or Facebook.com/gordonrfriedman