Portland budtender leads effort to bring cannabis cafes to Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland budtender is leading the charge to bring “cannabis cafes” to the state.

On Feb. 13, Justyce Seith — leader of the Oregon Cannabis Cafe Coalition — filed a petition to add a measure that could legalize marijuana consumption lounges to the November 2026 ballot.

The 28-year-old chief petitioner has worked in the marijuana industry for about six years, with her most recent position at the dispensary chain Oregrown. But she told KOIN 6 that some pre-existing laws have thwarted her dream of opening a cannabis cafe in the area.

Oregon has developed a reputation as one of the most “4/20-friendly” places, after becoming the first state to decriminalize cannabis in 1973. In 2014, it tied Alaska as the third state to legalize recreational consumption.

However, the 2016 passage of the Indoor Clean Air Act prohibited smoking in public places and within 10 feet of entrances, exits, windows and air events in different workplaces. According to Seith, her petition would make cannabis cafes exempt from this rule — and it could set the stage for Amsterdam-style consumption lounges with cannabis-infused drinks and treats.

A similar business for hemp and CBD consumers opened in Southeast Portland in 2021, but it closed just two years later.

California Rep. Matt Haney has also spearheaded a similar effort to legalize the shops in his own state. Gov. Gavin Newsom approved it just last year.

“Cafes as such could be almost seamlessly integrated into our current laws, rules and regulations,” Seith said. “It’s really just a matter of zoning and ventilation at this point.”

As a dispensary employee, she noted that tourists often ask where they can smoke cannabis products, but they are unable to legally do so at their hotels or other public spaces. She argued that a change in regulations could help tourism, as well as make places like parks safer for families.

“The goal here is to create a system that everybody can agree with,” she added, saying that her own cafe would offer shuttle services to consumers.

In addition, the chief petitioner argued the initiative could benefit Oregon’s suffering cannabis market. Experts have reported the industry’s issue with a surplus of supply and a lack of demand for years now.

Seith must gather 1,000 signatures before she can begin the ballot title drafting process.