Legal weed sales are about to start in Washington State as retailers have received their first electronic retail marijuana licenses. Even long lines and expected shortages of pot won’t spoil the fun, eager customers say.
Only 20 stores have received permits to sell just-for-fun cannabis, and they will welcome their first official customers as soon as Tuesday. Store owners are allowed to sell marijuana from 8 am Tuesday, but which of the stores will be up and running then is not yet clear.
So far, Cannabis City is the only recreational marijuana store that’s ready to open in Seattle, AP reported.
To handle potential crowds of customers, its owner James Lathrop has hired an events company. For their comfort there will be a food truck and free water arranged and a portable toilet, especially if people have to wait in line.
He planned to hold off on opening his store until noon Tuesday.
“Know your audience: We’re talking stoners here,” he said. “I’d be mean to say they need to get up at 5 am to get in line.”
It is already known that Alison Holcomb, the lawyer who drafted Washington State’s legal marijuana law, will be among the first customers at Cannabis City.
“No one thought legalization could happen in our lifetime,” she said. “I think this is going to be a little overwhelming for me.”
Lathrop plans to start his business with an initial supply of 10 pounds (4.6 kilograms) of dope. He says he may limit purchases to ensure everyone can go home with at least a 2-gram package.
The law allows customers to buy up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of marijuana. They also can buy up to 16 ounces (0.45 kilograms) of marijuana-infused product in solid form, or up to 72 ounces (2 kilograms) of marijuana-infused product in liquid form.
Another cannabis entrepreneur, John Evich, according to AP, is thinking hard to find ways to deliver marijuana to his Top Shelf Cannabis store in Bellingham. He considered loading the marijuana on his commercial crab boat and rushing it across Puget Sound, or even renting a helicopter.
“We’re pretty stoked,” he said. “We haven’t had any sleep in a long time, but we’re excited for the next step.”
In Evich’s store, strains would be priced between $12 and $25. But the first lucky 50 or 100 customers will be able to get $10 grams of one cannabis strain, as Evich wants to thank Washington State’s residents for voting for the law.
At least another two stores could open in some smaller cities, including Tacoma and Spokane.