Seattle - Eager customers lined up before dawn on Tuesday as Washington became the second US state to allow the sale of marijuana for recreational use, although shortages and high prices were likely to accompany any euphoria.
Store employees clapped and cheered at Top Shelf Cannabis in the northern city of Bellingham as its first buds were sold to a 29-year-old man from Kansas, Cale Holdsworth.
“I’m happy to be a part of history,” said Holdsworth, who was on holiday visiting family and took his place at the front of the line at 4am.
A handful of shops opened a day after 25 outlets were issued licences under a heavily regulated and taxed system that was approved by voters in November 2012.
The nation, and the federal government, are watching Washington’s roll-out as a broader trend of liberalisation and pro-pot activism takes hold in the US.
More than 100 people were outside Top Shelf Cannabis, in an industrial office park, when the doors opened at 8am. After Holdsworth’s ID was checked to ensure he was 21 or older, he picked out 2g of OG Pearl Kush for $26.50 (R284), which included about $6 in taxes.
His marijuana was placed in black plastic packaging labelled with its name and strength.
“This is exactly what we need: proper education and information,” he said. “It’s a great step forward.”
About 3km away, Bellingham’s second licensed store, 2020 Solutions, remained closed as staff said a technical issue with the state’s tracking system had prohibited their producer from shipping their pot.
While Colorado has raked in millions of dollars a month in tax since regulated retail sales began in January, Washington has charted a glacial path to market. State regulators are still processing more than 300 licence applications, and the limited harvests by approved growers have fed concerns about shortages.
In Seattle, home to about 630 000 people, the only licensed retailer held a “high noon” ribbon-cutting ceremony. First in line at Cannabis City was Deb Greene, a 65-year-old retiree, who queued for 21 hours.
She said she would keep her package of pot sealed as a memento, and might even leave it to Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry in her will.
Brent Michael, the owner of a tile and stonework business in Tacoma, said he and an employee had taken the day off to drive the 60km north to the store.
“We took a snow day,” Michael said. “We just wanted to come be part of this. I’ll probably take the bag and save it and open up my regular jar and smoke the much more affordable pot.”
The cost of a gram is expected to rise to between $12 and $25 depending on type and quality. Customers are allowed up to 28g at a time.