Stop the Break-Ins & Robberies: Protect Oregon’s Cannabis Jobs, Businesses, and Communities
Oregon's elected leaders at the State, County, City, and Legislative levels
Why This Matters — And Why You Should Sign
If you work in Oregon’s cannabis industry, you already know what’s happening. The break-ins. The smash-and-grabs. The armed robberies. Businesses are getting hit hard, over and over. Property is being destroyed. Employees are being traumatized. And some shops, processors, and farms simply won’t make it back.
This isn’t just about theft — it’s about survival.
When a dispensary or wholesaler goes down, it drags others with it. Unpaid invoices ripple through the supply chain. Small farms and makers get crushed. People lose jobs. Whole communities lose safe access and local investment.
Enough is enough.
This petition is our rallying cry. We will present it to elected officials across the state. We will use it to demand real, urgent action — and to organize those in the cannabis community who are ready to work together to help stem the tide of these crimes. Whether you’ve been hit already or you’re doing everything you can to avoid it, we are stronger when we stand together.
If you believe in protecting our businesses, our workers, and our future — sign. Add your name. Share it. Show up. Let’s stand up for each other.
Here is the finalized version of the petition we’ll be sending to elected officials. If you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions, please contact Jesse Bontecou at info@ciaoforegon.org.
Petition by
Sponsored by
To:
Oregon's elected leaders at the State, County, City, and Legislative levels
From:
[Your Name]
Stop the Break-Ins & Robberies:
Protect Oregon’s Cannabis Jobs, Businesses, and Communities
By signing this petition, we, the undersigned cannabis industry stakeholders, commit to working collectively with impacted businesses, relevant agencies, elected officials, and industry leadership to address the escalating crisis of violent and destructive robberies and burglaries. Our aim is clear: to prevent future incidents, support affected businesses, and implement strong, forward-looking solutions.
Oregon’s cannabis industry is facing a disturbing rise in both armed robberies and aggressive “crash and grab” burglaries—brazen crimes that inflict far more damage than the limited cash or product taken. Armed robberies put staff directly in harm’s way, while crash-and-grab incidents leave behind destroyed buildings and six-figure repair bills. With both types of attacks increasing in frequency and severity, the safety of our workforce and the survival of small cannabis businesses are under serious threat. While security systems often limit the theft of assets, the physical damage from these break-ins routinely results in unplanned losses totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars—jeopardizing the future of small operators across the state.
These incidents pose a systemic threat to Oregon’s cannabis industry, with ripple effects extending far beyond each individual case. The financial fallout from these crimes has already forced some businesses to close—and will continue to do so. Dispensaries, processors, and wholesalers carry products from other operators, so when they shut down or fall into financial distress, unpaid invoices pile up. This creates widespread collateral damage across the entire supply chain.
While larger companies may be able to absorb such losses, many of Oregon’s small cannabis businesses cannot. For these operators, even a single unpaid invoice can be financially devastating—potentially forcing them out of business entirely.
Cannabis businesses also face a unique set of additional challenges:
1. Federal Tax Burden (IRS Code 280E): Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, preventing businesses from deducting typical operating expenses. As a result, money spent on repairs or security upgrades is taxed as revenue, compounding losses.
2. Limited Financial Services: Cannabis businesses are often unable to access traditional insurance policies or bank loans, leaving them without the financial tools that most small businesses rely on in times of crisis.
3. Strict Security and Licensing Requirements: Regulations often require immediate repairs to security infrastructure following break-ins. Delays can result in forced shutdowns, compounding financial losses and leading to staff layoffs.
4. Impact on Employees: These violent incidents take an emotional toll on employees, undermining morale and contributing to high turnover in an already stretched labor market.
We urgently call on elected leaders at the state, county, city, and legislative levels—as well as law enforcement—to treat this crisis with the seriousness it demands. Together, we must safeguard our communities and preserve the viability of Oregon’s small cannabis businesses.
We specifically advocate for:
• Enhanced collaboration and communication between law enforcement, local governments, and cannabis businesses to track and respond to break-in trends.
• Expansion of financial tools and insurance options for cannabis operators.
• Regulatory reforms to ensure that security rules do not unintentionally worsen business recovery after incidents.
• Law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue the individuals behind these crimes with the same urgency and seriousness afforded to all legitimate businesses. A strong, visible response is essential to deter future attacks and restore confidence in public safety.
Your immediate attention and decisive action are critical to protecting not only the future of Oregon’s cannabis industry, but the safety, stability, and economic wellbeing of the communities it supports.
Thank you for standing with us.