The Cannabis Chronicles Blog, sponsored by The Columbian, reported on Twitter: approximately 14 out of 200 standing in line for todays opening of Main Street Marijuana, are from Oregon. Just yesterday, a Kansas man made history as the first customer to make a purchase at a Washington State marijuana retail store, when Bellingham’s Top Shelf opened its’ doors. And this is just the beginning.
So far, only 24 stores in Washington State have officially received licenses to sell marijuana. As more licenses are issued and more pot shops open, expect a bigger influx of visitors, especially from our neighbors from the north, east, and south. Soon, several tourist hotbeds inspired primarily by location, could develop. These hotbeds include the cities of: Bellingham, Seattle, Vancouver, and Spokane.
Bellingham should be home to at least 6 recreational marijuana shops. The number of shops could increase as there are 7 licenses at large in Whatcom County. Just a short drive from the border of Canada, Bellingham could see more and more of their friends from the north who wish to partake in the legal recreational marijuana industry.
Seattle, being the largest and most visited city in the State, could see a greater influx of tourists not only from Canada and Oregon, but from around the country and world as well. Seattle will have at least 21 recreational retail shops, but this number could increase because of “at large” licenses in King County.
Vancouver, Wa, just a short 15 minute drive from Portland, Oregon, could become a tourist hotbed for our southern neighbors, who wish to take a quick jaunt over the Columbian River and be free to buy some weed. Vancouver expects at least 6 shops to serve the city as well as Oregon. This number could also increase because of “at large” licenses for the county. While Vancouver cannabis retail shops may initially benefit from an influx of visitors from Oregon, once the state legalizes marijuana (which could be this year) they would have less reasons to cross the border to buy pot.
Just under 40 minutes away by car, some residents of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, may cross the Washington border and visit one of the soon-to-be 8 pot shops. With 7 retail licenses at large in Spokane County, the city of Spokane could be home to more than 10 stores.
Out of about 200 lined up at #MainStMarijuana 14 said they were from oregon when asked by editor Lou Brancaccio #I502 pic.twitter.com/JbhbQG2Z9b
— Cannabis Chronicles (@Col_Cannabis) July 9, 2014
