Recreational-marijuana sales will start without a West Seattle shop

celeste17 July 7, 2014 (10:23 am)

I am curious about the medical dispenseries. Do they have to shut down with marijunia being legal for everyone?

WSB July 7, 2014 (10:29 am)

Nope. They will continue on, still in a sort of gray area – as noted on the state’s I-502 website, the initiative said nothing about MMJ.

sam July 7, 2014 (10:29 am)

No. They are legally separate things

Brian M. July 7, 2014 (10:43 am)

So glad to see no West Seattle locations. Let’s hope the new competition will prune the medical dispensaries, too.

Clem July 7, 2014 (10:56 am)

These state approved stores won’t be much competition for mmj dispensaries, as they have a different client base and will be selling their product for double what mmj goes for.

DTK July 7, 2014 (11:04 am)

Brian, maybe you’d be more comfortable somewhere in Utah.

Joe Szilagyi July 7, 2014 (11:17 am)

@Brian, why is that good? In the long run this is no different than the end of alcohol prohibition, and twenty years from now this will be no different than today’s liquor or wine stores, or even bars. If we got another brewery in West Seattle, or even — gasp! — a distillery, would that be a bad thing? This is all a long-overdue course correction in our national policy that’s been flawed since the 1930s, and it’s great that we and Colorado voted to go first as outliers to try to start fixing 80+ years of failed policies. Teetotaler type policies and social mores have no more real political power in this country, and never really ever will again in our lifetimes.

Joe Szilagyi July 7, 2014 (11:18 am)

Which dispensary at 35th & Roxbury, the one on the east side or the west side?

WSB July 7, 2014 (11:29 am)

The one on the west side is not a dispensary, it’s for screenings/authorization cards. Unless there is ALSO a dispensary on that side that I haven’t noticed, besides the screening/authorization place (where the used-goods store used to be a couple years ago) …

WMF July 7, 2014 (11:20 am)

Brian M. – do you have a problem with all the places you can purchase alcohol in West Seattle?

Sorry to crush your dreams, but seeing as the recreational stores will be charging up to four times as much than what you can get it from a dispensary for, I don’t see them pruning anything anytime soon.

au July 7, 2014 (11:49 am)

ha! for a moment i thought it said restaurant-marijuana and thought wow! what a novel idea….

Diane July 7, 2014 (12:05 pm)

I agree with Brian; and I think he speaks for many of us; imo, way too much easy access to both alcohol and pot
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why do people who are pro pot and alcohol feel the need to make rude comments to someone who expresses a different opinion?

onion July 7, 2014 (12:12 pm)

My question is, who wants to wait in line for a few hours to be among the first allowed in the store — and to be photographed by the Times and TV stations so everyone (including a likely national audience) can see you score one or two over-priced grams? ;)

Rick July 7, 2014 (12:14 pm)

Next thing ya ya know they’ll let ’em smoke AND vote!

onion July 7, 2014 (12:17 pm)

Diane, anti pot and alcohol folks are just as likely to be rude as pro alcohol and pot folks. Just as pro and anti bike folks can be rude, and progressives and conservatives can be rude, and so on and so on…… Tact is often a low priority when folks aren’t face to face.

WSB July 7, 2014 (12:24 pm)

And if you keep the kind of public-meeting schedule we do, you’ll see they can be just as capable in person, as well. (Not that it requires a public meeting for people to be grumpy, for that matter) …

Bree July 7, 2014 (12:28 pm)

We are certainly concerned with those that will not know how to control their own use of it & creating problems on the road, etc. We are certainly going to be even more aware than ever when driving of others. It certainly is cause for concern and caution as we go about our daily lives to be watchful of those that do not know their limitations when using it. Reminds us of why we have speed bumps – for the few that abuse the system. So now we have drivers to watch out for that are texting, using alcohol or using pot. Just be watchful out there as you are driving.

just curious July 7, 2014 (12:33 pm)

has anybody ever bothered to count the current number of “medical dispensaries’ in WS and WC?

Brian M. July 7, 2014 (12:45 pm)

I stand by my earlier comment, and I thank @Diana for her support.
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A lot of overreaction from my comment. I’m not arguing policy or the will of the voters. But I know I stand with a large group of people who see these businesses as a blight to their neighborhood.
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As a side note, I’m sure the loophole that allows medical marijuana to remain lower priced than retail shops won’t last long. Eventually, taxes and levies will even out.

Ray July 7, 2014 (1:23 pm)

Question: What IS the legal policy in regards to where pot can and cannot be smoked? I know the law says not in public or within sight, yadda yadda.

I live in a townhouse next to a 2 0or so unit apartment building. My neighbors constantly smoke outside their units in the alley between the two buildings. I am no longer able to leave my windows open due to the near constant smoke blowing into my unit.

Why do they have rights to smoke (regardless of what they are smoking 0 whether cigarettes or pot) when I am being begatively impacted. As we move into the warmer summer months, I have little recourse but to install AC to keep my unit cool.

To compound the issue many of these #$^$&#& are members of the Varrios Lokos group so if I confront them or call the police, I will be subject to retaliation.

GunnerDDog July 7, 2014 (1:37 pm)

It was my understanding that when the Senate gets around to passing HB 2149 that it would pretty much eliminate mmj shops. It seems to have stalled for a bit, but everything I read led me to believe it was a matter of when, not if, mmj would be going by the wayside in light of legalized recreational marijuana.

west seattle steve July 7, 2014 (1:45 pm)

4th & Lander, Just kind of funny. Isn’t that across the street from the Seattle Public Schools headquarters (John Stanford Center)?

WSB July 7, 2014 (1:48 pm)

Co-publisher and I observed that last night in conversation. SPS HQ is indeed at 3rd/Lander. Just looked up Cannabis City’s exact address and they seem to be a bit south of Lander on 4th. So about 2 blocks from the district …

H July 7, 2014 (1:59 pm)

It’s sad that there are people here who are so anti freedom that they feel the need to control the actions of others.

Timing July 7, 2014 (2:40 pm)

Oh no, two blocks from Seattle school district headquarters! This ought to give them more excuses for the lack of work and progress being done in that building!

Joe Szilagyi July 7, 2014 (2:46 pm)

Some of us don’t mean to be rude, but are tired of the endless debates. We overturned Prohibition and endorsed the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol by adults in the actual Constitution, our nation’s de facto national Bible. Then you have states voting in favor of this, as we did. Other nations with liberalized drug policies haven’t collapsed, and have gone in the exact opposition direction: Portugal went crazy and legalized EVERYTHING, treating drugs as a medical concern, and their usage and crime rates fell through the floor. The point is simply that marijuana, for example, wasn’t a concern until it became known as the “drug of choice” for blacks and hispanics in popular culture. Ever since then multiple generations have been told “it’s illegal because it’s illegal”. That’s literally the position of the US government. “Because I said so”. Not based on science, evidence, or anything else. For budgetary reasons, if anything.
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How about we let the initiative we approved take effect for a couple years first? The vote is settled law and even the State legislature can’t overturn it until it’s been in effect for at least two years per our state Constitution. I’m sure some yahoo would love to try right now to overthrow it in Olympia, arguing it’s been on the books for two years technically, but since it took the WSLCB two years to give out licenses, I’m sure that would be an instant lawsuit the state would have a good chance of losing until we have two years of retail sales under our belts.
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Crime is way down in Colorado, by the way.

sallymaybaby July 7, 2014 (2:47 pm)

I would like to know where it can be smoked too? My husband has a MM card and he uses for his pain and nausea. I tried the stuff back in the 70’s didn’t much care for it, but for me its the smell. Not just the smoke, but the weed itself, just kinda has me feeling ill. Ugg. Side note: I am a ex-smoker and now I smell everything, it stinks… no pun intended.

Marianne July 7, 2014 (3:59 pm)

Just left a training at the school district headquarters and wondered why the KIRO van was around the corner.

redblack July 7, 2014 (4:07 pm)

as to where pot can be smoked, regardless of the law, i would abide by the same social and professional rules and laws that apply to alcohol: not at work, not driving, not in the park, not in class…
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your own living room, bedroom, lawn, basement, roof, garden, or patio? go for it.
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prohibition is a lot more complex than other commenters make it out to be, though. alcohol is also a fuel, and, back in the day, the oil industry wanted some standardization of fuel sources. for one thing, it’s a lot safer if people aren’t allowed to design their own engines that run on bathtub ethanol.
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for another, it allows for a nice oligopoly of the energy industry.
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same thing with hemp and cannabis. i’m sure it hasn’t been lost on you good people that while smoking pot is kosher under I-502, the laws governing the farming of the plants are – ahem – prohibitive.
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in my opinion, anyone and everyone should be allowed to grow cannabis or hemp for his/her personal or local consumption as freely as he/she grows tomatoes – which can be sold at damn near any farmer’s market with the proper licensing.

Ray July 7, 2014 (4:30 pm)

Not everyone has an agenda against pot.

I hate the smell of it, and I do not want to smell it.

However, I do not have much of an option as my neighbors smoke like chimneys.

Why are their rights to smoke more than mine to have to smell their crap.

They should have to be compelled to smoke it away from those of us who do not want 1) smoke or 2) pot smoke.

It is as simple as that for me.

WSB July 7, 2014 (4:41 pm)

Don’t know if this point will help Ray, but marijuana/pot/cannabis/weed/whatever your preferred term has gone far beyond being “smokable.” It’s edible, drinkable, and, I haven’t seen it written quite this way but, vape-able. None of which I would imagine have much scent to them (but any user who cares to correct me, please do). Even nicotine addicts have access to e-cigs, which I believe are smokeless. Just a side note.

Chris W July 7, 2014 (4:30 pm)

@BrianM. One of those WS medical dispensaries keeps me from having to take chemo drugs or something equally toxic, and gives me a far Bete quality of life. I hope they stay a long long time.

Sammy Greencoat July 7, 2014 (4:39 pm)

With recreational pot legal tomorrow, it’s like black friday for food trucks and ice cream shops.

westseattledood July 7, 2014 (4:55 pm)

Am I mistaken, or did I read yesterday that WA has taken “edibles” out of the mix, pending clearer control over the content of products? So, no food products on the immediate horizon.

According to what I read (was it the Times, last night?) Colorado clearing the path ahead of us has also indicated problems to trouble-shoot. Edibles was one of them, I guess?

WSB July 7, 2014 (5:00 pm)

This is from the Seattle Times Q/A. However, they are abundantly available at dispensaries, and if the commenter’s neighbors are already smoking, perhaps they are authorized patients:
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“Q: Can I buy pot-infused edibles?

Not at first. Because of increasing concerns in Colorado about the uniformity, dosing and safety of edible products, Washington state regulators hit the brakes on edibles. Rules had been approved to allow edibles, in child-resistant packaging, with warnings about the delayed effect of edibles, and recommended doses of 10 milligrams of THC per serving. But state officials are revisiting the rules. They want to make sure recommended servings can be separated from a whole edible — not easy when dealing with a cookie, or friable product. They want to make sure psychoactive chemicals are spread evenly through an edible. And they want to make edibles meet food-safety standards in preparation. As it stands, state officials want to approve all products before they go on shelves.”

me July 7, 2014 (5:03 pm)

Vaporized marijuana smells faintly like burnt popcorn. As in, you would have to be sitting right next to me to be able to smell it, you would not be able to smell it if I was in my backyard vaping and you were in the next yard.

WSsince76 July 7, 2014 (5:11 pm)

Allowing one to grow their own medicine why how utterly criminal lol.

Seems strange/contradictory that a “drug” deemed illegal on the federal level. The United States federal government US Dept. of Health and Human Services holds a “medical patent” for all cannabinoids — a patent which it has held since 2003.
US Patent No. 6,630,507 B1

Citing this patent stops the “medical marijuana is a myth” advocates dead in their tracks. They simply cannot argue with it.

datamuse July 7, 2014 (7:04 pm)

Some of my friends who smoke tobacco have taken up vaping too. It’s definitely more pleasant to be around. I don’t like the smell of pot smoke either.

Elle Nell July 7, 2014 (7:29 pm)

So proud to be in such a progressive state! Nothing like moving forward… And I’m sure the people complaining about the passed law are the same ones complaining about the illegal fireworks…. Love our FREeDOM!!

DTK July 7, 2014 (7:31 pm)

I just want to say how proud I am that I live in a state that takes a leadership position in progressing our country forward.

Jw July 7, 2014 (7:39 pm)

IMO, it’ll take a few years but eventually supply will outpace demand and prices will fall. Eventually some shops will close. If I’m not mistaken most people don’t smoke pot. I guess we’ll see if leagalization makes much of a difference. I also wonder the effects on mmj shops. It’s easy enough to get a card, some may even say its a bit of a joke. So if the price is 2-4x at a retail shop why not just get a card?
Unless your only a very occasional user.
@joe. Just sayn, but doesn’t Portugal have something like a 25% unemployment rate?

WMF July 7, 2014 (9:11 pm)

40+ comments about 502 and not one was “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN???”.

…today was a good day.

Joe Szilagyi July 7, 2014 (9:24 pm)

@Jw, 14%; you’re probably thinking of Spain. On the plus side, no one rotting in jail for victimless crimes that should be processed as medical conditions. :)

gina July 7, 2014 (9:28 pm)

Route 50 is going to be the WS party bus.

CubanRefugee July 8, 2014 (2:22 am)

I’ll never understand the anti-mj folks. Much like gay marriage, it won’t affect you personally. No one is forcing you to buy it, smoke it, or be a part of it. No one is going to come into your home and say, “Here, smoke this right now or else.”

Have you people even met stoners before? Even the casual pot smoker is going to be mellow as hell, and the most they’ll inconvenience you with, if you know one, is either asking for a tall glass of water or something to munch on.

People forget that marijuana has been legal in the state for months now even if you couldn’t buy it legal. During this time, how many people have you seen smoking out in public? I think I’ve seen one guy myself. I highly doubt that’s going to change. Even the casual smoker is going to go back home, crack a beer and a bag of funyuns, and get their smoke on in peace, so just quit trying to harsh their mellow, man.

JoAnne July 8, 2014 (6:18 am)

I also agree with Brian and Diane. Like most people, I do not want to be near either drunks or potheads.
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Do not want to hire them, work with them, buy things from them, or share the road with them.
Sorry, I just don’t like people who are checked out of life and oblivious to their surroundings, regardless of what substance they are using.

Kim July 8, 2014 (7:18 am)

Wow JoAnne….. What a careless generalization. “Checked out of life”. I am a recreational pot smoker and am most definitely “checked in”! As a parent, school employee, volunteer, and physically active/fit individual, I am the very opposite of your stereotype. I’m also proud to know lawyers, doctors, teachers, fitness instructors, humanitarians, business-owners musicians, and artists who enjoy the physical and mental health benefits marijuana affords. Check your misconceptions.

zark July 8, 2014 (8:41 am)

Fear is a powerful emotion. To folks who are not part of, have no connection to, the marijuana sub-culture, the fear of the unknown outweighs rational thinking. Pot has been around, and used by your neighbors, friends, coworkers – more people than you would ever guess. You don’t know because its been hidden from you, now it wont be. Trancparency is a good thing for public safety. Don’t be scared. Pot isn’t the evil reefer madness substance you’ve been told it is, its going to be ok. I dont complain that I have to live, work, drive side byside with people hopped up on Prozac. To each his own, if it makes this life a little easier to bear, lets just make sure that Prozac is safe for you to aquire and injest. I’ve taken prozac, its kinda like pot, makes you a bit loopy, a little happy. To the person with the allet smokers, just ask them if could move a bit, tell them the smoke goes right in the window. They prob dont want to hassle you anymore than youd want to hassle them.
We dont have edibles because the WSLCB completely bothed this rollout and there are no kitchens licensed – complete fail on their part. MMJ prices are not 1/2 of retail, theyre actually on par with a $1-$2 pg descrepancy. If they undercut retail the WSLCB is coming after them with a vengence, if they stay the course they’ll ride in a gray area for a while, then be shut down. Not saying they should or shouldn’t, that’s just what’s happening. It costs $300 to get an MMJ card btw.

Bradley July 8, 2014 (10:23 am)

No West Seattle marijuana dispensary? Roxhill Park has been an open-air marijuana dispensary for years. That’s just one place of many where your kids buy their weed…..and it will continue to be…even when West Seattle gets a dope store.

furor scribendi July 8, 2014 (10:31 am)

JoAnne and others with their feet on the ground, I couldn’t agree more. Legal pot is a mistake that will addle many and enrich a few, some of whom are trolling this thread. This is a public health issue that is not going away. Our nation has led the world in anti-tobacco campaigns and greatly reduced percentages of the population who’ve fill their lungs (and thru 2nd-hand smoke others too) and ruined their health, so as a nation it’s hypocritical to promote smoking pot which has even more detrimental health and societal impacts.

redblack July 8, 2014 (11:41 am)

Furor Scribendi said: …as a nation it’s hypocritical to promote smoking pot which has even more detrimental health and societal impacts.
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than alcohol or tobacco? got a cite for that? what’s the mortality rate for pot smokers?
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as others have pointed out, there are perfectly legal prescription meds that have some seriously disturbing side effects, some of which include death.
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the difference between pot and pharma?
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profit. if you gave pfizer a license to market weed, they’d carpet bomb congress with lobbying money, and they’d likely convince americans that it’s safer than water.

Kayleighsong July 8, 2014 (11:58 am)

Maybe those of us *outside* the marijuana sub-culture are tired of constantly hearing from the marijuna sub-culture, much of which appears to have lost the ability to think critically or see the obvious harm in their adolescent habit.

cj July 8, 2014 (12:18 pm)

Any coverage on the actual openings? It feels like a blank spot in the news. :/

WSB July 8, 2014 (12:34 pm)

Do you use twitter? It’s media mania at the SODO place. Lots of pix of a huge line. We thought about going for a photo but unfortunately my laptop broke and I am sitting at an Apple store instead…

Brian July 8, 2014 (12:24 pm)

LOL @ the idea of defending marijuana legalization as “trolling this thread”.
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Please enlighten me with the data that shows that inhaling marijuana smoke (or ingesting it in any capacity) puts you at the same risk as smoking tobacco.
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Do you know how many people have contracted cancer from smoking pot? Literally zero. None. It’s never happened.

s.bell July 8, 2014 (12:41 pm)

I don’t understand why the folks who are against pot smoking have not been up in arms about alcohol. To me, alcohol is a much more dangerous substance than pot. I have never seen anyone who has been smoking pot be part of a road rage incident, start a fight at a public sporting event, wrap their car around a tree, abuse their their wife, husband or kids etc. I’ve seen all of these and many others done by folks using alcohol.

zark July 8, 2014 (12:50 pm)

@scribendi you are trolling this thread – google it.
We also haven’t led the world in anti-smoking, that’d be Bhutan.
Do liquor stores “promote” drinking? Should we prohibit alcohol, that worked well didn’t it?
If you are scared, which I would be if I had no information about marijuana, it’s effects and it’s users, ask someone – lots of people who consume marijuana are pretty nice, and they’d be happy to talk to you and explain why your fears are unfounded. The fact is your doctor could well be a pot smoker, lots of them are, as are lawyers, garbage men, politicians, bus drivers, school teachers, ditch diggers, data analysts, you get it. You have been living among us for your entire life, and the world has not spun out of control into the abyss. It’s all going to be ok, we’ll have a solid new tax revenue stream, and your life will remain completely unchanged. Do not worry, it’ll all be a non-issue in a few months and the only change will be that you’ll live in a state that figured out that trying to legislate morality is a losing proposition. I get why it’s scary I really do – the fed says marijuana is more dangerous than cocaine but even a casual user knows this is not the truth. Trust me, you’d know the difference between someone on LSD and someone high on pot (both schedule 1) – heck, if you tried LSD and Pot you’d be really angry that they are lying to us and telling us they’re the same. You should prob be more wary of someone on cocaine than pot (cocaine is schedule 2, safer than pot according to the DEA). These are fallacies created to discriminate against black and Hispanic people and to benefit petrol and chem companies (Dow specifically). Just don’t be freaked out that this will somehow come to rest on your doorstep, it won’t. Your friends and neighbors are good people, even though they drink, smoke cigarettes and smoke pot – they’re still good people. Food for though: According to the CDC, obesity falls closely behind smoking in annual premature deaths: 324,000 to smoking’s 443,000. Should we ban McDonalds and Ice Cream? Should we legislate morality? Whose morality wins? Rastafarianism is every bit as legit a religion as Christianity in the US (yay freedom!)

datamuse July 8, 2014 (2:05 pm)

I’m all in favor of legalization, but if you’ve only seen one person smoking it publicly in the last year, I’m guessing you don’t go to many concerts… ;)

ScubaFrog July 8, 2014 (5:34 pm)

I wonder how the FBI will treat this. They’ve raided a few medical dispensaries, no?
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Legal pot’s great. I’d much rather deal with someone ‘too’ buzzed on THC, than someone ‘too’ buzzed on alcohol. Moreover it seems to have to many medical benefits.
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Another thought, is that the we should either raise the age of enlistment to 21, to coincide with alcohol/marijuana – or lower the drinking/marijuana age to 18 (if we keep enlistment age 18). How can we send these young adults to fight and possibly die in foreign lands for oil at the age of 18 – when they can’t even buy alcohol (and now marijuana) legally?

Big Daddy G July 8, 2014 (6:13 pm)

Coming to Alki Beach on the 25th, gonna want to hang and party. Legal high would be a different experience for this tourist. We call tourists ” FUDGIES”, here in Michigan, cause we sell homemade fudge, and they come here to buy it.,HINT,HINT,… Fudge Makers live in very Big houses, GET I? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

zark July 8, 2014 (7:10 pm)

@ScubaFrog – here here to the age of enlistment / age of legal consumption comment – spot on – hadn’t thought of it around MJ legalization.
Same to the too buzzed on MJ vs Alcohol comment – accurate.

I also wonder about the feds response, especially with the recent DEA news that illegal trafficking is on the rise in states neighboring CO and WA.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dea-chief-says-marijuana-trafficking-spiking-in-states-near-colorado/2014/04/30/d34b5a1e-d08a-11e3-937f-d3026234b51c_story.html

Side note – very happy to wholeheartedly agree with you Scuba – it’s usually the opposite :)

Mn July 8, 2014 (7:43 pm)

Stoned or drunk
They are as bad as each other

G July 8, 2014 (11:12 pm)

A lot of browbeating and mis-characterizations of legitimate concerns that people have regarding pot. No, I haven’t read anything where someone said the world was going to end – I think the climate folks have the monopoly on that one. And the silly adolescent lecturing? Please, save it for your ten year old nephew or niece.

phil dirt July 9, 2014 (10:02 am)

I’m just curious, but since many of you have made comments mentioning that there are many medical benefits attributed to marijuana, would somebody care to be specific? I know that it’s good for controlling nausea and for sleep, but what other benefits are there? I’m spending way too much money on prescribed drugs that probably do me more harm than good. Should I take up smoking pot?

ScubaFrog July 9, 2014 (11:51 am)

There was an informative special on CNN yesterday about medical marijuana, phil dirt – and how it’s helping a toddler have less seizures (and the seizures she does have are apparently now less-intense). Sadly, she had to move from her home/friends in New Jersey where governor Christie is vehemently against medical marijuana, to a state with more liberal marijuana laws. Apparently it also helps many patients with terminal illnesses, and cancer patients in pain management, too. I’m sure instances where THC can help medically abound. It’s interesting to see how much money Big Pharma’s spent in lobbying campaigns for anti-marijuana laws.
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Anyhow, medically I’m no authority. I’d strongly suggest you ask your doctor and see if it’s right for you in your particular situation.

datamuse July 9, 2014 (12:15 pm)

Two uses that friends of mine have used it for are pain control (she has chronic back pain and it helps her function) and anxiety. Unfortunately in the latter case she developed some sort of reaction to the stuff and had to stop using it, but it worked pretty well up until then and without the side effects of other anti-anxiety medications. (I don’t use pot myself, medically or recreationally.)
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There’s been a fair amount of research on medical marijuana; if you have the time, you can search for it on PubMed.

WSince86 July 9, 2014 (12:17 pm)

PhilDirt- There are countless strains of medical MJ that are developed to target specific issues. Some are higher in CBDs, some are higher in THC, the basic chemical compounds that medical MJ patients look for in their particular medicine. The more CBDs, the more body aches and pains it takes away. The more THC, the more ‘in your head’. I had a license (btw, $100,fairly easy to aquire) to help me deal with what are known as Cluster Headaches, migraine headaches evil big brother. I also used a tincture that I sprayed under my tounge for immediate relief. The medical MJ helped immensely. I purchased the strains high in CBDs. I never was under the influence while driving or working, but it helped get the headaches under control. Do some research. It’s very interesting stuff. PS: I am a local business owner- 20 years, homeowner, parent, have a vacation home, and have been a pot smoker for 30+ years. Super happy I can purchase it without having to have a license now.

WSince86 July 9, 2014 (12:43 pm)

Phil Dirt – I would recommend the dispensary at 35th and Roxbury. The staff is professional, very knowledgeable and super courteous. I believe you can go in and talk to them about the benefits before you go get a card, to see if it would benefit your situation. I took my medical records with me to the Dr. across the street for my authorization. All in all a very positive experience.

furor scribendi July 9, 2014 (6:25 pm)

Amazing to see all the smoke flyin’ on this thread, unsupported ad hominem arguments supporting legal pot ignoring the actual impacts on society. Zark and others have only their narrow self interest to light up, or more likely to sell you something to light up. As to medical pot, if it’s so great why not just advocate for direct THC dosing instead of smoke? Hasn’t done anything for MS patients I know, and there are scads of medical alternatives that work more consistently and reliably. Put that in your bong and smoke it….

WSince86 July 9, 2014 (10:27 pm)

Furor – see above. THC is not what Medical MJ is all about. Maybe your friends were not getting the right stains? It’s not going to CURE MS or other diseases, simply help with the symptoms in a more natural way than pharma. I’m also a huge proponate of alternative medicine. It all has it’s place. IMHO.

Frank July 11, 2014 (9:33 am)

I think this is a great thing for state revenue. Also, think about all the prisoners the state won’t have to house and feed by eliminating petty incarcerations.It might not be as big a deal as expected though. Judging from the prices I’m seeing quoted, I think many users will stick with their regular, illegal suppliers.

ladybugged July 21, 2014 (9:59 pm)

I read this blog in an effort to see if anyone else is bothered with MJ smoke. I am and I hate it. But I am subject to it daily by a neighbor who lights up night or day, sitting on his front porch, often drinking, whenever he is home and his wife isn’t, whether their children are home or not, and pours out his smoke into the community air.

Cheers to Brian and Joanne and Ray and Scribendi! As to the others, please don’t equate drinking alcohol to smoking pot (not that I encourage either). You can sit in your house or your yard or the park or your car and drink alcohol all you want and no one else even knows unless you act out. You’re not forcing it down others. With MJ smokers, you are forcing us-–neighbors, neighbor’s children, passersby, including babies-–to have to participate in your particular vice without any way to legally protest. “Go inside and close your windows” is your statement, if we don’t like it. I’ve had to take to using a face mask to even be outside in the garden, and even that doesn’t work sometimes. The slightest whiff of MJ burns my nostrils, gives me an immediate headache and nausea. If an alcohol user forced you to drink, that would be assault. So how come marijuana smokers can force us to breathe their weed and it’s their right?!

The mj smoke from next door settled thick about my house this evening, chokingly thick and putrid. And a normal person has no rights, no way to protect themselves from this.

This is freedom? For whom? I couldn’t care less if you drug yourself up with MJ to try to cope with an insufficient life, or illness or an already too aggressive nature (especially since pot users are supposed to become docile and so benign and perfectly gentle with the world, though the language of the some of the pro-pot bloggers here belies that supposition)—just stop inflicting your dope on the rest of us. Get a vaporizer, for goodness sake. Have a little consideration!