Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jul 2014
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Michael Mui
Page: 4

U.S. MARIJUANA SHOPS READY FOR CANADIAN CUSTOMERS

Bellingham Marijuana Retail Stores Brace for Canadian Pot-Seekers, 
With One Carrying Enough Supply for 1,000 Customers on the First Day 
of Operations

Newly approved Bellingham retail pot shops are bracing for a large 
influx of Canadian customers as 24 marijuana stores received approval 
to sell from the Washington government Monday.

Aaron Nelson of 2020 Solutions - one of t he closest stores to the 
border - said he's already got several calls from Canadian customers 
inquiring about his business.

But at least initially, expect prices to be significantly higher than 
what's on offer in local dispensaries and on the black market.

"Just because of the supply and demand, expect pricing to be in the 
$20-25 per gram price range to start," he said.

The store, one of two in Bellingham, is expected to open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

"I welcome the people of B.C. - they are our neighbours - I'm 12 
miles from the border," said John Evich, an investor in Top Shelf 
Cannabis, which is also in Bellingham.

For the store's first customers to arrive, "We're going to offer a 
special intro price of under $10 a gram - we're going to beat the 
market price for the black market."

Evich said most sales in the beginning are expected to be marijuana 
flowers, or buds, only until the government figures out what to do 
with edibles, oils and other forms of marijuana.

There are some rules for Canadian customers, however. Photo 
identification must be displayed - you need to be at least 21 - and 
the marijuana cannot leave Washington State.

The Canada Border Services Agency said in a statement charges could 
be laid for bringing pot back, your car could get taken, and "a 
record of infractions is kept" that could hinder future trips for 
those caught smuggling.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom