Pullman’s first retail marijuana store opens its doors
MJ’s Pot Shop, Pullman’s first marijuana retail store, opened Saturday quietly and without fanfare. Approximately 20 people gathered outside before opening, hoping to be among the first to try one of the five strains MJ’s has to offer.
Andrew Jenson | Argonaut
A customer examines his choices at MJ’s Pot Shop during the opening Saturday. MJ’s Pot Shop is Pullman’s first marijuana retail store.
Robert Frazier, a Pullman sales representative and marijuana user, has bought legal marijuana before in Spokane, Seattle and Olympia, said he was surprised so few people came out for the grand opening.
“Spokane was a two and a half hour wait, Seattle was a two and a half hour wait,” Frazier said. “I thought this place would be a zoo on a Saturday morning.”
Despite the low turnout, there was unmistakable excitement among the patrons as they milled in the gravel parking lot behind the chain-linked buffer zone, waiting for the doors to open. Many of the patrons, who reported having purchased marijuana before, said they came out to see what MJ’s had to offer.
Though many customers left with their purchases happily, two WSU students admitted they hadn’t bought anything because buying marijuana on the street was much cheaper — in some instances, they claimed they could find product for less than half the price of MJ’s.
While the price markup may make purchasing marijuana from a dealer a more attractive option to some marijuana users, Pullman Police Detective Mike Crow said he still thinks the legalization in Washington affects business for non-licensed sellers.
Since the prohibition on recreational marijuana was lifted in Washington, Crow said his job has only gotten easier.
“I don’t disagree with (marijuana legalization) at all,” Crow said. “Even before it was legal, we didn’t have much problem with marijuana smokers. The only part I can see us still dealing with is the dealing — that was the biggest issue in my mind.”
According to Crow, it’s typical for the police department to send officers to new businesses, especially those with the likelihood of attracting burglaries or disturbances. Crow said he was at MJ’s Saturday opening to acquaint himself with the space — especially the entries and exits.
MJ’s is also doing its part to stay secure. Brian Augenstein, owner of AugyTek in Pullman, said MJ’s owner, Kary Jane Smith, approached him in July to help install a state-of-the-art security system.
The system, which Augenstein said took months to plan and design, includes 15 high definition cameras with tracking abilities, motion sensors, a traceability system that helps employees track sales and advanced ID scanners.
According to Augenstein, Smith wanted an enhanced security system for two reasons — MJ’s will sell up to an ounce of marijuana to customers, more than most retail stores, and since the recreational marijuana industry is so new, many retailers aren’t certain what kind of security is needed as of yet.
“I think one of two things will happen,” Augenstein said. “One, they’ll decide to upgrade the technology because of the popularity of stores and the amount of people breaking into them, or two, they’ll downgrade and say, hey, it doesn’t have to be this, or it doesn’t have to be online, you know, we can deal without that. I do see some changes coming, but the third possibility is they may not do anything at all. “
Whatever direction the industry takes, Frazier said he’s confident the legalization of recreational marijuana is a step in the right direction for Washington.
“I’ve smoked weed for 18 years,” Frazier said. “I’m pumped to be able to do it legally.”
Due to federal banking laws, MJ’s only accepts cash, and merchandise cannot be opened on the premises. In order to enter the shop, patrons will need to be at least 21 years old and have a valid ID, Augenstein said.
MJ’s pot shop is located at 1335 SE Bishop Blvd., in Pullman, and is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. While Idaho residents of age may purchase legal marijuana, they may not legally transport it across state borders.
Hannah Shirley can be reached at [email protected]