Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2014
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Mike Hager with files from The Associated Press Page: D8

WASHINGTON STATE POT STORE A HIT WITH SHOPPERS

BELLINGHAM, WASH. - There was a handful of old hippies in tie-dyed
shirts, an industrial hemp activist holding up a base of the green
plant as well as a drag queen seeking a particular strain of cannabis
to stay "awake and active" when dancing.

But most of the people at the grand opening of Top Shelf Cannabis were
locals as unassuming as the Bellingham strip mall that houses one of
Washington state's first recreational marijuana retailers.

Inside, screen-topped Mason jars were brought out from their glass
display cases so people could sniff samples of about 15 different
strains of "combustibles" (dried cannabis that is smoked). Hemp
rolling papers ($2) and hand-held glass bongs ($20) were popular
purchases. Happy customers high-fived as they examined the two-gram
packages of buds, which had slick labels describing the THC and
moisture content as well as numerous possible side-effects.

"Easy does it ... start with a little. We want you to ENJOY this
product," read the slogan on a package of the Sweet Lafayette indica
strain.

The day was a historic step toward the end of the U.S. war on drugs,
according to many of the more than 700 customers who showed up to Top
Shelf.

By 11 a.m., over 200 people had bought dried marijuana, with about 30
per cent showing ID from out of state and several from Canada,
according to head doorman Derek Langhorn.

"It's great to see old people come in here, they don't have to go out
on the streets," said Langhorn, a burly Bellingham native who doesn't
smoke marijuana anymore, but was charged with a misdemeanour for the
possession of 1.4 grams several years ago as an 18-year-old.

"People don't hire me because of it," he added. "It's just great right
now that anybody can come in here, anybody at all, and say 'Hey, I
wanna get some marijuana.' And it should be like that, because I can
go to the store and get beer. It should be exactly the same thing."

Once customers prove they are over 21, they can buy up to an ounce of
the bud, with Top Shelf selling a gram of Hawaiian Dutchman for as low
as $10 a gram with tax and as high as $22 a gram with tax for Opal OG
Kush.

Those prices were still a little high for Canadians Greg and Lorraine,
a Victoria couple vacationing nearby at their summer camping spot who
bought 10 grams of two strains for $215 US.

"I saved $25 on a case of beer (down here), so I can afford it," Greg
joked.

Both refused to give their last names, telling The Sun "we have
parents" and "we still have jobs" back in Victoria.

"The States seems to be way more liberal on some things," Greg said.
"Canada's a little too protective of our society. They think there's
gotta be seven levels of bureaucracy."

The two said they don't often smoke back home, but will sneak a puff
with friends.

Greg said he would relish the opportunity to buy legal weed in Canada,
and thinks that may happen if Liberal leader Justin Trudeau becomes
prime minister.

"The right things are happening. If the indicators are going the right
way (in Colorado and Washington), it becomes more and more acceptable,
and sooner or later people see it as a source of revenue for the
government. Maybe it will lower my taxes on cigarettes or tobacco or
alcohol," Greg said. "Collect the taxes some other way instead out of
my back pocket all the time."

The Canada Border Services Agency released a statement Tuesday warning
any Canadians thinking of bringing marijuana legally bought in
Washington over the border.

"Travellers should be aware that even if they have purchased marijuana
legally in Washington state, it is still a crime to transport it
across the border," the emailed statement read. "Anyone found
smuggling drugs will be arrested and depending on the circumstances,
charges may be laid."

As Top Shelf 's supply began to dwindle throughout the morning
investor and consultant John Evich said the company may limit each
person to two grams in order to continue selling Wednesday.

Evich said it was a mad scramble to get the bud to market after
receiving a licence from the Liquor Control Board.

Bellingham's other licensed retailer, 2020 Solutions, had to postpone
its grand opening until later in the week after "late-developing
regulatory snags involving our processors." Workers there greeted
disappointed customers with free coffee and doughnuts Tuesday.

The start of legal pot sales in Washington state marks a major step
that's been 20 months in the making. Washington state and Colorado
stunned much of the world by voting in November 2012 to legalize
marijuana for adults over 21, and to create state-licensed systems for
growing, selling and taxing the pot. Sales began in Colorado on Jan.
1.
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MAP posted-by: Matt