Pubdate: Tue, 25 Nov 2014
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1
Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388

POT MERCHANTS BATTLE TO WIN HOLIDAY TRADE

DENVER (AP) - That's not mistletoe.

 From new marijuana strains for the holidays to gift sets and 
pot-and-pumpkin pies, the burgeoning marijuana industry in Colorado 
is scrambling to get a piece of the holiday shopping dollar. 
Dispensaries in many states have been offering holiday specials for 
medical customers for years - but this first season of 
open-to-all-adults marijuana sales in some states means pot shops are 
using more of the tricks used by traditional retailers to attract 
holiday shoppers.

Here's a look at how the new recreational marijuana industry is 
trying to attract holiday shoppers:

Deep discounts

Traditional retailers sell some items below cost to drive traffic and 
attract sales. Recreational marijuana retailers are doing the same.

The Grass Station in Denver is selling an ounce of marijuana for $50 
- - about a fifth of the cost of the next-cheapest strain at the 
Colorado dispensary - to the first 16 customers in line Friday, 
Saturday and Sunday. That works out to less than $1 a joint for the 
ambitious early-rising pot shopper. Owner Ryan Fox says his Black 
Friday pot is decent quality, and says he's selling below cost to 
attract attention and pick up some new customers. As Colorado 
dispensaries approach a year of being able to sell weed to all adults 
over 21, not just card-carrying medical patients, Fox says retailers 
have to do more than just sell pot to get public attention.

Pot shops are using old and new media to tout the sales. One 
dispensary is taking out a full-page "Happy Danksgiving" ad in The 
Denver Post and is inviting shoppers to text a code for extra savings.

Gift wrapping

What holiday shopper doesn't appreciate free gift wrapping? Or a gift 
set ready to pop under the tree? The Growing Kitchen is making $49.99 
gift sets for both the medical and recreational pot user. Other 
dispensaries are offering free gift totes and stockings with purchases.

Holiday strains

Some shops are angling for high-end holiday shoppers, not an increase 
in foot traffic. Colorado Harvest and Evergreen Apothecary timed the 
release of some top-shelf strains of potent pot for the holiday 
season. Spokeswoman Ann Dickerson says they're "sort of like the best 
bourbon or Scotch that will be competing on quality, rather than price."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom