Oregon’s market is flooded with more cannabis than Oregonians can consume, meaning customers have more options than ever to shop for quality and value. When it comes to vendor selection in Oregon’s highly competitive market, quality will always beat quantity.
At Oregon’s Finest (OF), our purchasing team searches out quality first and foremost, so you’ll know what is on the shelf is the best possible representation of that product. As the company’s founders always say, “The strain is only as good as the grower.” Here are three tips to help ensure your vendors are worthy of your store:
1. Work with transparent vendors.
OF has an extensive and rigorous transparency process to ensure our customers are consuming the best cannabis products in Oregon. Each vendor must provide samples, extensive lab tests, detailed information about their company practices and processes, and agree to allow OF’s buying team to tour their facility at any time.
The OF process requires vendors to disclose all grow methods and nutrients used. We ask vendors to specify their extraction methods for concentrated products, including all ingredients (including flower source), solvents, sources for any added terpenes and intended uses.
2. Work with third-party certified vendors.
As a Clean Green Certified dispensary, OF partners with other third-party certified companies. Due to federal restrictions, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certifications cannot apply to cannabis businesses. Many cannabis companies use these third-party certifications, such as Clean Green and Certified KIND, to help them distinguish themselves from farms with conventional methods. That said, some vendors might not be able to afford a certification, so keep an open-mind and check if their processes meet those same standards.
3. Don’t be shy about discussing ethics.
Consider a company’s ethics when selecting your vendors. At OF, we give preference to companies who focus on sustainable business practices by being involved in their community, having earth-friendly processes, offering employee benefits and paying a living wage. Try to find vendors who relate and align with your mission statement, and don’t be afraid to trust your gut if something feels off.
Original article published in Cannabis Dispensary Magazine. Written by Oregon’s Finest staff.
