‘Talk About Clusterf---’: Why Legal Weed Didn’t Kill Oregon’s Black Market

Legalization was supposed to take care of the black market. It hasn’t worked out that way.

by Natalie Fertig

CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. — The first unlicensed cannabis grow popped up near Gary Longnecker’s remote Southern Oregon home seven years ago. Now there are six farms surrounding the densely-forested property.

“Last night I woke up at 12:30 with gunshots. [Then again] this morning, seven o’clock,” Longnecker said as he and I walked his land in November. “That’s them intimidating all of us neighbors to keep out of their face.”