Portland’s Largest Cannabis Shop Closes Amidst Repeated Break-Ins and Slow Police Response
After seven years of operation, The Portland Cannabis Market (PCM) in southeast Portland has closed its doors due to a series of costly break-ins and a perceived lack of effective response from local law enforcement. The shop, which was once the largest physical cannabis market in Oregon, suffered six to seven armed burglaries, resulting in over $1.5 million in damages and lost products.
PCM CEO Cory Turner described the break-ins as a “drug dealer’s all-you-can-eat buffet” and stated that the shop’s large inventory made it an attractive target for thieves. The most recent break-in occurred on Monday morning, with the same group attempting to break in the day before.
Turner expressed frustration with the Portland Police Department’s response time, which he claimed averaged around 50 minutes. He believes this slow response contributed to the lack of arrests, with only one suspect being apprehended during the entire period.
The break-ins have resulted in significant financial losses, with each incident costing the shop and its partners around $100,000 to $150,000 in stolen products. The shop’s owner, Turner, has decided to close the business, citing the unsustainable nature of the situation for himself and his family.
The Portland Police Department has acknowledged the issue, stating that they sympathize with affected businesses and are working to address the problem. However, they have not provided a specific explanation for the slow response times, citing the need to prioritize calls for service and the ongoing staffing crisis, which has left the department with the lowest number of patrol officers in over 30 years.
