Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2014
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Authors: Stephanie Ip and Frank Luba
Page: A2

POTHOLES AWAIT B.C. FOLKS DRIVING TO U.S. FOR WEED

British Columbians Headed South on the Road to Legal Weed Will Need 
to Beware of a Few Potholes.

Tuesday marked the first day of business for two Bellingham, Wash., 
shops now legally selling recreational marijuana, but Canadians 
shopping for green souvenirs, or vacationers hoping to pick up a few 
grams of pot before hitting the cabin for a weekend ski trip, will 
need to be careful.

While Washington state law allows recreational marijuana use, U.S. 
border guards work for the federal government, which still classifies 
pot as a controlled substance. Len Saunders, a Bellingham-based 
immigration lawyer, cautioned that southbound British Columbians - 
especially groups of youth - may draw increased scrutiny from border 
guards on the lookout for pot tourists.

"I'm trying to warn Canadians that if you come to the border and 
answer honestly that you're coming down to purchase marijuana or 
smoke marijuana, you will be denied entry - so almost no answer is 
better than the truth," Saunders said. "Now, is every officer going 
to ask you that? Of course not. But if the question comes up ... you 
do not have to answer it."

Saunders also said people are not obligated to answer questions at 
the border about their past drug use unless it involves a conviction.

Vel Vette, owner of several rental properties near the Mt. Baker Ski 
Area in Washington state, said she will welcome B.C. skiers and 
snowboarders who plan to stop at one of the state's new legal 
marijuana stores to pick up some pot before enjoying a weekend 
getaway at one of her cabins.

"I think that tourism is going to be up about 30 per cent," said 
Vette, who also owns a bed and breakfast near the ski resort. "I plan 
to advertise it on our website, that it's legal now in Washington 
state. We're pot friendly. Absolutely."

However, skiers and snowboarders thinking they'll be able to keep 
warm smoking a joint on the Mt. Baker chairlifts may be disappointed 
to learn the resort is on federal land - which means the same 
considerations apply there as at border crossings.

"That hasn't stopped them, though," said a resort spokeswoman who 
declined to give her name.

In Bellingham Tuesday morning, folks came from as far as California, 
Texas, Missouri and Canada for the chance to buy marijuana legally 
from Top Shelf Cannabis.

The first customer was Cale Holdsworth of Abilene, Kan., who said he 
showed up at 4 a.m. at the modest little strip mall to buy two grams 
of OG Pearl Kush at the low introductory rate of $20 US, which worked 
out to $26.50 with tax.

Holdsworth, 29, happened to be visiting family when he heard about 
the opening and was surprised to be first in a line that included 
young and old, male and female. He was also pretty stoked about the 
stores selling recreational weed.

"I think it's a good idea," Holdsworth told The Province. "I think 
it's the next big step forward in regional and nationwide acceptance 
of something that should not be taboo."

Most of the customers were from Washington, said doorman Derek 
Langhorn, who checked everyone's identification to be sure they were 
at least 21 years of age.

While there were some exotic origins, including a customer who 
produced a Pakistani passport, Langhorn estimated 20 to 30 per cent 
of the people in the first group of customers when the doors opened 
at 8 a.m. were from Canada.

Taking the pot across the border into Canada would be illegal, but 
that wasn't a problem for one Canadian couple. They live in the U.S. 
for several months a year and were taking their weed to their 
American home. They declined to give their names or answer any more 
questions from The Province.

But most customers were happy to be interviewed, like retiree Jim 
Clayborn of Bellingham. The 65-year old former hospital executive 
said he hasn't smoked pot since "the old days," but heard about Top 
Shelf and decided to check it out.

"I figured this was as good as a martini," said Clayborn, who waited 
about 45 minutes to get into the store.

"I think it's a good thing," he said of the changes, which he 
believes mean "more civil liberties for us."

Washington state's new pot stores don't allow their products to be 
sampled on site, so Holdsworth and his fellow customers had to smell 
and view the products to make their selections.

"For the quality, it's an extremely reasonable price," Holdsworth 
said before leaving with his pot in a discrete little brown paper 
shopping bag. But while satisfied with the convenience and quality, 
Holdsworth did have a concern.

"Along with advocating its use, we must advocate responsibility in 
the use," he said.

Safety was also a big concern for Debbie Kuljis, 50, who came to the 
store because her 23-year-old son, Jacob Kennedy, was curious about it.

"I don't think it's a good idea for people driving around," she said 
of the potent pot that was available.

She uses marijuana at home, but buys it from a medical dispensary to 
help deal with pain and insomnia from a stroke.

Another Bellingham store, 2020 Solutions, was one of the 24 outlets 
that the Marijuana Business Association said have been granted 
licences from among 340 applications.

But there was a supply problem and 2020 had to offer its customers 
doughnuts instead of dope. The store hopes to have its goods in place 
later this week.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom