Meg Roussos / The BulletinAviv Hadar, owner of Oregrown Industries Inc., stands in front of the medical marijuana dispensary on NW Wall Street in Bend that he expects to open next month.

Aviv Hadar, a Bend entrepreneur, wants to capitalize on what he believes will be the region’s next craft industry: marijuana.

Hadar, who recently sold Perfect Menu — an online menu-building application for restaurants created during Bend’s first Startup Weekend in 2013 — acknowledges he is ahead of the curve when it comes to cannabis. He’s not waiting for Measure 91, the ballot measure voters will decide Nov. 4 that would legalize personal possession, distribution and sale of marijuana for people 21 and older. He’s leased a space on NW Wall Street in downtown Bend for his medical marijuana dispensary, Oregrown, which he plans to open next month.

“I want to express, we’re a medical business first,” he said. “Oregrown has been working hard to establish Oregon as a leader in this industry.”

Hadar said Oregrown Industries Inc., has invested in cannabis genetics research and is working with state-registered pharmacists to develop new medicinal applications for marijuana that would be tested in clinical trials. Oregrown also grows medical marijuana for patients.

But Hadar believes if Measure 91 doesn’t pass, Oregonians will be throwing away an economic and job-boosting opportunity.

“By passing Measure 91, Oregon can establish itself and grab a foothold in this industry before it’s too late,” Hadar said. “Our hard-working residents and businesses should be able to benefit from all that comes along with a boost in tourism alongside a new craft industry.”

Opponents say approving the measure would make marijuana more available to children. They also say it does not limit the number of growers or retail locations and has no packaging or labeling requirements for food containing marijuana.

Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and Washington, D.C. Voters in Colorado and Washington state approved personal possession, distribution and sale of marijuana. Washington, which began issuing retail marijuana licenses July 7, had approved 68 as of Tuesday, according to licensing records. Colorado, which began issuing licenses in December, lists nearly 300 licensed retail marijuana stores.

Colorado and Washington expect to collect $96.8 million and $60.1 million, respectively, in tax revenue between 2015-17, according to agencies in both states.

Regardless of whether or not Measure 91 passes, Carolyn Eagan, business advocate for the city of Bend, said there’s evidence that a new market for marijuana is opening up in Bend.

“All around town you can see these little storefronts being cleaned up for medical marijuana,” she said, and agreed it is an indicator that Bend is laying the groundwork for a new craft industry.

As of Tuesday, records showed 12 state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Bend, including Oregrown, and three pending applications.

“These are business people who saw a reason to invest now in Bend, in refurbishing the store fronts, in landscaping, because they saw the potential for a bigger demand in the future with legalization,” she said.

— Reporter: 541-617-7818,

rrees@bendbulletin.com