First Legal Marijuana Shops Open In Washington State

[The General]

Washington became the second U.S. state to allow the sale of marijuana for recreational use on Tuesday, although shortages and high prices are likely to accompany any euphoria. Shops started to open on Tuesday, a day after 25 outlets were issued licenses under a heavily regulated and taxed system approved by voters in November 2012. The nation, and the federal government, will be watching Washington's rollout as a broader trend of liberalization and pro-pot activism takes hold in the United States. . State regulators are still processing more than 300 license applications.

While Colorado has been raking in millions of dollars a month in tax since rolling out regulated retail sales in January, Washington has charted a glacial path to market. Local media showed images of two people sitting on folding chairs with books and provisions almost a day before a "high noon" ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cannabis City, the only licensed retailer in Seattle, a city of some 630,000 residents. The store's owner, James Lathrop, said he had 10 lbs (4.5 kgs) of pot delivered in the morning. "We have plenty," he told CNN. "We're not going to run out today."

To the north, in Bellingham, Top Shelf Cannabis shop owner Tom Beckley was offering his first 50 to 100 customers special promotional pricing of $10 per gram, with prices rising to $12-$25 per gram depending on quality and type. Depending on demand, Beckley said he might limit what he sells to each shopper to extend supplies. Customers are legally allowed up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of marijuana before buying more. They also can buy up to 16 ounces (454 grams) of marijuana-infused product in solid form or up to 72 ounces (2 kg) of marijuana-infused product in liquid form.

Shortages may mean prices of $25 to $30 a gram on Tuesday, roughly twice the price at the state's weakly regulated medical marijuana dispensaries. However, retailers such as Beckley said limiting the first wave of shoppers to buying a few grams will help deal with shortages, due in part to limited harvests by licensed growers, regulatory hurdles, and an applicant backlog. And popular "edibles", such as hash brownies, are not expected to be available as no processor has been cleared to operate a cannabis kitchen. This is a major shift in public policy, so it is not going to be perfect at first," pro-pot Marijuana Policy Project spokesman Mason Tvert said. "Like with alcohol, it will take some time to determine which regulations work and which do not."

News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Trust.org
Author: Reuters
Contact: Contact Us
Website: First legal marijuana shops open in Washington state

 

[dingusmcgee]

we need to let our local elected officials that the regulatory system will ultimately fail, if it does not give an advantage to consumers over the black market. by the time they revisit this issue in the upcoming session, they should all be aware of what patients, consumers and advocates want.

 

[dingusmcgee]

i went here,
Washington State Legislature

put in my zip to look up my 2 state reps and 1 state senator, and sent them the following.

Dear {Title, Name},

I am writing to urge that you remember the need of patients to have access to the variety of strains and types of applications required to treat the many conditions they suffer from.

In regards to retail marijuana, whatever the regulatory system in place, it will ultimately fail if it does not adequately address the need to preserve the safety for the public at large, the producers, retailers and consumers. Tax revenue is not the only way to success for this program. Just as important is the need to undermine the black market and create an environment where the consumer can recognize an advantage in participating in a legal system.

Finally, I ask that you consider the history of marijuana prohibition, and how that has led to the laws and culture surrounding marijuana today. We know without any doubt that marijuana is therapeutically beneficial to many people and for many conditions. This fact alone renders Schedule 1 a lie.

Respectfully,
{Your Name}

please get this or a similar message to your elected officials because if the current trend continues, the political climate in this state will likely get worse. i have requested responses from each of my elected public servants and will share those responses.

 

[ionize]

we need to let our local elected officials that the regulatory system will ultimately fail, if it does not give an advantage to consumers over the black market. by the time they revisit this issue in the upcoming session, they should all be aware of what patients, consumers and advocates want.

qft. as great as it is to see change, the way they've done it won't see many people which from illegal to legal sources.

 

[nobodyYOUknow]

Shortages may mean prices of $25 to $30 a gram on Tuesday, roughly twice the price at the state's weakly regulated medical marijuana dispensaries. Website: First legal marijuana shops open in Washington state

General, I know the news sources keep telling you $25-30 is twice the regular MMJ price, but the multiple is MUCH higher most TOP SHELF MMJ rarely high $15, $5-10 is the typical pricing and yesterday craigslist was flooded with local "delivery" services (not legal for recreational, but unenforceable) prices as low as $140 an ounce ($5 per gram) delivered.
So if you trust the street dude's weed not to be dusted and of the same general quality with $0 tax, they are pushing people towards the black market.
Worse the LCB recognizes the legal shortage is their fault and shrugs off the black market effect.