It’s Opening Day in Washington state’s retail marijuana shops, and this post is dedicated to the fair people of that Pacific Northwestern state — the people who surprised us, the people who made us laugh and the people who said something poignant at just the right time.
So take your time in getting to know these 20 Washington residents and visitors who took part in a conversation about marijuana legalization on July 8, 2014:
1. The people who are quite quotable:
"It's Time To Free The Weed" @evanbush @BobYoungTHI @Colleen_Wright have the story of Seattle's 1st pot shop http://t.co/iQaRBwOnis #WApot
— Andy Mannix (@AndrewMannix) July 8, 2014
2. The people “visiting their grandparents.” In Seattle. During the week. On the day retail pot sales began:
Brian Leo, 21, (pictured) and his cousin Kevin, 23, flew from New Jersey to Seattle to "visit their grandparents." pic.twitter.com/tmdYcWqCSN
— Colleen Wright (@Colleen_Wright) July 8, 2014
3. The people who are buying weed (of course):
Inside Cannabis City Photo by Tyler J. Markwart #wapot #legalize #marijuana #northwestleaf… http://t.co/vRcQsJufnE
— Northwest Leaf (@nwleaf) July 8, 2014
Opening Day in Washington:
A special report from The Cannabist
Pot for sale: Washington begins era of legal marijuana sales
Best of Twitter: 20 top tweets/photos/videos from Washington’s first day of “Weegalization”
Cost of cannabis: Exactly how much is retail weed selling for in Washington? Here you go:
Advice for Washington: Eight suggestions to consider amid the state’s first days of retail sales
Photos: Scenes from Washington on first day of recreational pot sales
List of shops: These 24 Washington marijuana shops are licensed to open July 8
Questions on Wash. pot: What took the stores so long to get licensed? Plus 5 other questions
“It’s amazing:” Seattle-based I-502 architect Alison Holcomb talks on Opening Day
There will be pot shortages: 5 things to know about Washington weed sales
Take the poll: Will retail cannabis sales in Washington hurt the state’s image?
More recreational weed: Stay caught up on news coming out of Washington state
[poll id=”4″]4. The people selling out of strains:
We are working hard to grow more. OG's is one of our pride and joy's.. We are excited for this day! #WApot pic.twitter.com/05gBG3bD1r
— Nine Point Growth In (@NinePointGrow) July 8, 2014
5. The people calling in sick to Microsoft so they could buy legal weed:
One guy here, who works for a "large software company" and asked to remain nameless, called in sick from work today.
— Colleen Wright (@Colleen_Wright) July 8, 2014
6. The people who are in their mid-60s but still camped overnight to be first in Seattle’s line:
Meet the grandma lined up to buy first legal weed in Seattle Tuesday. via Colleen Wright http://t.co/kDuWAUySWQ
— Bob Young (@PotReporter) July 8, 2014
7. The people trying to quantify future tourism impact (have fun with that one, btw):
Are you more likely to go skiing at Mt. Baker this winter now that Washington state has legal pot shops? Tweet @stephanie_ip. #WApot
— The Province (@theprovince) July 8, 2014
8. The people who are going to be sunburned tomorrow:
Despite the hot sun beating down, most here in the crowd at Cannabis City are sticking it out. pic.twitter.com/eB1IIa5gkq
— Colleen Wright (@Colleen_Wright) July 8, 2014
9. The people who think their whole home state is stoned:
Based on the @seattletimes Twitter feed, my entire home state is stoned right now.
— Reid Wilson (@PostReid) July 8, 2014
10. The people who shake hands before a big moment:
After waiting three hours, three guys from Alaska shake hands as they're just moments away from buying legal pot. #WApot
— Colleen Wright (@Colleen_Wright) July 8, 2014
Meet 10 more people taking part in this conversation of legalization: