If you’ve lived in the Portland area for more than a month, you know that there are countless dispensaries with recreational marijuana. Each of these dispensaries carries a variety of strains and offers a unique and enjoyable buying experience. What you may not know is that just over the Columbia River lies the Mecca of marijuana dispensaries: Main Street Marijuana.
What you may not know is that just over the Columbia River lies the Mecca of marijuana dispensaries: Main Street Marijuana. Only a 20-minute drive from Portland proper, this recreational dispensary in Vancouver, WA is the oldest in the Portland area. Main Street beckons with its phenomenal selection, friendly budtenders, personalized experience, and reasonable prices (all strains are under $12 per gram).
Main Street Marijuana has three locations: Downtown Vancouver (2314 Main St.), East Vancouver (16219 SE 12th St. Suite 104), and Longview (945 Washington Way). The downtown location is the original dispensary for the chain and is located in Vancouver’s historic Uptown Village. It has been serving the greater Portland area since 2014 and was Washington state’s top selling marijuana dispensary for the past two years.
Judge this book by its cover
As soon as you walk through the doors at Main Street Marijuana, you can’t help but notice, well, everything. A beautiful display case of flower and pre-rolls wraps proudly around the main space of the dispensary, almost 20 feet long, with budtenders working cohesively in the center. Looking to your right, you’ll see another display case of cannabis products lining the wall and continuing along the back of the shop. Workers stand behind the cases, ready to help customers with questions and requests. Behind you and to the left you’ll find display cases filled with bongs, vaporizers, pieces, pipes, pens, storage containers, and a variety of assorted paraphernalia.
However, what draws the eye most of all is the brightly-colored mural painted by Portland artist Nicole Andrijauskas, which wraps around half of the store. Every part of it shows a recognizable piece of Oregon, Washington, or a recognizable pot-reference. Cheech and Chong trail plumes of smoke out of a VW bus as they cruise past the Columbia River and Shaggy tiptoes through the tulips – or, marijuana plants – near Multnomah Falls as he evades the evasive Sasquatch. Behind the pickup display cases, Bart Simpson adds his art to the walls of Springfield Elementary. And if you look closely, you might even spot Waldo! It’s the perfect combination of color, humor, and feel-good landmarks to peruse as you’re waiting for your order to be filled. (To see more of Nicole Andrijauskas’ incredible work, visit her website.)
On to the good stuff
While the interior layout and design of Main Street Marijuana are (clearly) worth raving about, it is not the primary reason that their customers keep coming back. The entire dispensary is targeted at making each browsing and experience an excellent one. Menus are strategically placed on top of the display cases, listing with each strain the type (indica, sativa, hybrid, etc.), percentage of THC, package size, cost, and farmer. This is perfect for newcomers who want to learn what they’re getting into or those overwhelmed by the options.
Customer service is clearly the main priority here – budtenders walk smoothly past each other as they help their customers find the perfect products to take home. Once you’re ready to ask questions, discuss different strains, or place an order (and once a free space opens up at the counter), one of the budtenders will “adopt” you for the remainder of your shopping experience. The personal aspect that comes with this cannot be overstated: each time you shop at Main Street Marijuana, you get to know the person behind the counter, and that person gets to know you, too.
Although it can be overwhelming to consider how many strains, flavors, and types of cannabis products are available for purchase (over 1,300 – but who’s counting?), your budtender will walk you through your options based on your desired price range, type of high, and quantity for the cost. Each budtender is patient and knowledgeable, and won’t make you feel rushed or uncomfortable asking questions. They all understand that every cannabis experience should be a great one, and they want to do their best to ensure that you leave with what you were looking for.
What are you waiting for?
Main Street Marijuana is the pinnacle of recreational marijuana dispensaries. With its pristine interior, knowledgeable staff, and wide selection, you’ll wonder why you ever shopped anywhere else for your cannabis needs. Remember, just go over the river and to the bud!
(Note: Both state and federal laws prohibit the transportation of marijuana across state lines, even if both states have legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana. It is best practice to understand and follow state and federal law in this regard.)
Author: Daphne Eccleston
