Jim Belushi Shuts Down Belushi's Farm Cannabis Operations

Jim Belushi has stopped cultivating cannabis at Belushi's Farm, his Oregon-based operation that became the centerpiece of a three-season reality show on Discovery+. The actor confirmed the closure in a recent interview while discussing his return to film acting.

"We're no longer growing," Belushi told High Times, marking the end of a cultivation venture that began in 2015 when he purchased 93 acres in southern Oregon's Rogue River Valley. The farm became a symbol of celebrity entry into legal cannabis, documented in "Growing Belushi," which ran from 2020 to 2022.

The shutdown reflects broader challenges facing Oregon's cannabis market. The state has grappled with oversupply issues since recreational sales launched in 2015, driving wholesale prices down by more than 50% over the past three years. Small and mid-sized cultivators have been particularly hard-hit, with hundreds of licenses going inactive or surrendered since 2020.

The Business Reality

Belushi's Farm operated as a boutique cultivation focusing on craft strains. The operation employed local workers and emphasized organic growing methods—a positioning that became increasingly difficult to sustain as commodity pricing dominated the Oregon market. Wholesale flower prices in Oregon dropped to as low as $400 per pound in 2023, down from peaks above $1,500 in earlier years.

Market watchers note that celebrity-backed cannabis ventures have faced particular scrutiny as the industry matured beyond its initial hype cycle. While some celebrity brands maintain licensing deals without direct cultivation, Belushi took a hands-on approach that exposed him to full operational costs and market volatility.

What He's Doing Now

Belushi has pivoted back to acting, recently completing work on multiple film projects including playing counterculture icon Ken Kesey. The actor hasn't ruled out future involvement in cannabis, but acknowledged the current market makes small-scale cultivation economically challenging.

The closure comes as Oregon regulators consider market reforms, including potential limits on cultivation licenses and interstate commerce provisions. However, any meaningful changes face legislative hurdles and federal prohibition constraints.

Industry analysts estimate Oregon lost approximately 25% of its active cultivation licenses between 2021 and 2023. The state's Cannabis Tracking System shows 1,247 active producer licenses as of late 2023, down from a 2019 peak of over 1,800.

Industry Response

Oregon cannabis operators have called for regulatory relief, including reduced licensing fees and tax restructuring. The state's 17% retail tax rate, combined with standard business taxes, creates a burden that operators say makes competing with illicit markets difficult.

"The numbers tell the story: small cultivators can't survive at current wholesale prices," said an Oregon Cannabis Association representative in recent testimony to state legislators.

Belushi's exit adds another high-profile name to the list of cultivation closures in Oregon's contracted market. Whether the farm property will be repurposed or sold remains unclear. The actor maintained ownership of the land throughout his cultivation years, giving him flexibility other operators lacking property ownership don't have.

The situation highlights ongoing questions about the long-term viability of small-scale cannabis cultivation in mature markets without significant barriers to entry or interstate commerce opportunities.

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This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.