Eugene OG: Best buds cultivate cannabis community

Upon entry, a melodic doorbell notifies budtenders of a new arrival. Filtered by sunlit spider plants in the lobby, fresh air encircles the guests, followed by the scent of sweet, sticky floral herbs. The friendly faces behind the counter ease the experience that can be overwhelming when entering a new space.

For many University of Oregon students, 21 and over, purchasing cannabis is a new, exciting and even daunting experience when first moving to a recreationally legal state. Eugene OG sets the positive precedent by the initial bright and inviting environment, opposite of what first-timers may expect to be a dark and dingy stoner closet.

A South Eugene High School friendship sparked what would turn into a local dispensary, opening in September 2014. Building community relationships and authentic connections that are symbiotically empowering serve as the foundation of Eugene OG and are core values that are vividly alive today. These ideals are demonstrated through vendor collaborations, such as those with Deep Creek Gardens and Drops Cannabis Jellies.

Every product available is intentionally showcased to display the dispensary’s standards and mission to “provide the highest quality for the lowest price possible.” Rather than offering unknown products to test market popularity, Eugene OG’s selective stamp of approval only reaches items that employees genuinely believe in and are excited about. This results in authentic sales recommendations for elevated customer experiences.

“I care a lot about strong flavor profiles and bud quality, like whether it’s soft or fluffy,” said Mikayla Brennan, who has been happily budtending for Eugene OG for over a year. “Our sister farm, Pud’s Buds, is one of the best farms we carry. They’re consistent with their flavors which is important when you want guests to keep coming back.” Some favorites include Northern Lights OG and Hidden Pastry. Each and every day topshelf flower is packed tightly with love in pre-rolls to-go.

At Eugene OG, local management provides a positive work experience by offering hands-on transparency and in-house mediation, which is uplifted by the bonus of having local ownership prioritize genuine personal connections. Employees are frequently reminded that they are loved and cared for.

“Dispensaries have high turnover rates with their employees, and I feel like having people who already have a strong personal relationship makes it a lot easier to resolve conflicts,” said Brennan. “When I first started, they worked with my student schedule and even gave me health insurance as a part time employee.”

Company paid health insurance isn’t the only contribution to Brennan’s positive work experience, though it’s certainly a surprising benefit that many dispensaries don’t offer.

“COVID-19 presented unique challenges: We experienced higher levels of fear and uncertainty,” Kristian Wilson, General Manager, said. “We didn’t have health insurance before that. We should all feel safe and supported by our employers. We believe in healthy people because it's the right thing to do.”

Health of employees translates into the health of the community through the residents it serves.

“Customers who experience a lot of pain looking for relief come back and get to tell me ‘oh yeah that did work,’ or even if it didn't work how they hoped, we can help them find the next best thing. My favorite is when they tell me they can stop taking painkillers because they started taking edibles, and it works for them.”

Eugene OG is able to serve the wide community, from students to veterans to seniors or your mom and her dog, by offering extensive deals. Daily specials offer discounts to consumers with specific interests from edibles and concentrates, top shelf flowers and cartridges to extracts and topicals. Seniors also have access to the “wisdom discount” for a 10% off.

“No matter who you are or what you like: we got you,” Wilson said. “Eugene OG is the best place for student specials.”

Last month, a new deal hit the receipts for students with valid ID: you can now stack an additional 5% off on top of daily deals. This is the only stackable deal offered. Call Mikayla and ask about the loyalty program to get 10-20% off your entire order!

So what are you waiting for? You can even cut the errand with Eugene OG delivery.