Opening arguments began this week in the high-profile trial of a Portland cannabis store employee accused of killing two men during a robbery attempt. Jason Steiner, 35, is facing multiple counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder after an October 2024 incident at the Lamota cannabis shop in North Portland.
Courtroom footage and evidence presented on Wednesday included 911 calls, body camera recordings, and security video from the night of the shooting. The jury of 12 will ultimately decide Steiner’s fate as both the prosecution and defense laid out their arguments.
According to prosecutors, surveillance video shows three masked men entering the Lamota Portland cannabis shop and holding Steiner at gunpoint. The suspects forced him outside while allegedly stealing products from the dispensary. At that point, Steiner retrieved a semi-automatic handgun from his bag, returned to the store entrance, and fired 13 shots.
Steiner later told police he feared the men would track him down and that his actions were in self-defense. His attorney has argued that Oregon law permits the justified use of deadly force when someone reasonably believes their life is in danger. The defense insists that the shooting was a lawful reaction to a violent robbery attempt at the Portland cannabis store.
The case has attracted widespread attention not only because of the severity of the charges, but also because it underscores the dangers employees face in the Portland cannabis industry. Armed robberies of dispensaries have become a growing concern in the city, with several shops reporting violent break-ins over the past two years.
Legal experts note the jury will have to weigh whether Steiner’s decision to retrieve a gun and fire multiple rounds was an act of justified self-defense or an excessive use of force. Prosecutors argue that once Steiner had escaped immediate danger, he should not have returned with a weapon. The defense counters that the chaos of the moment and the threat to Steiner’s life justified his actions under Oregon law.
As the trial continues, members of the Portland cannabis community are watching closely. Many believe the outcome could set an important precedent for how self-defense claims are treated in cases involving dispensary employees. Others worry that negative publicity may further complicate efforts to normalize the Portland cannabis industry, which already faces challenges such as high taxes and strict regulations.
For now, the future of both Jason Steiner and the perception of the Portland cannabis market rests in the hands of the jury.