Washington joins Colorado as the second state to legalize and sell marijuana

 

This week, Washington state became the second in the union to allow the sale of marijuana for recreational use. And oh, the residents did line up.

Sixty-five year-old Seattleite Deb Greene (yes, that is her real name) purchased her herb from Cannabis City in the city’s Sodo neighborhood. She also won the Quote of the Day award when she told the Seattle Times, “It’s incredibly liberating. It’s the dream of every retiree, sleep in and smoke a bowl.”

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes got into the spirit of things, as well, buying one bag for himself, and one for posterity.

Only five stores have opened so far, though permits and planning are underway for dozens of dispensaries statewide.

 

 

 

One issue stores that are otherwise ready to open are facing is a shortage of the green stuff. The state has only licensed a quarter of the two million acres it’s set aside for marijuana cultivation. (Though part of the reason for that might be because too many farmers are employing the Deb Greene approach to their labor.)

And the price of legal pot is comparatively steep. A gram will set you back an even $20 at Cannabis City, taxes included. That’s compared to around $10 per gram at a medical marijuana dispensary, or just a couple of bags of Funions if you’ve got a Grateful Dead-loving close friend.

Still, have been high all week in Washington, among both consumers and government officials. And, given Colorado’s recent success with its own marijuana industry, there’s every reason to believe Washington should be raking in a different kind of sweet, wonderful green…for a good while to come.

 

 

 

Though only two US states allow the sale of marijuana for recreation, nine others allow some sales for medical and / or recreational purposes, and sixteen others permit its sale for one reason or the other.

What do you think, readers? Is America heading down a slippery slope of legalized drug use and inevitable moral decay? Or are fears of drug epidemics greatly exaggerated? Does the potential tax revenue make legalized marijuana too lucrative an option to overlook? Weigh in by leaving a comment below.