Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A perfect storm blew in big profits for Washington pot shops earlier this month, and a large chunk of those profits landed in Vancouver.
Officials say the state's budding industry set a new record on May 1, with retailers raking in $1.83 million in a single day.
Shop owners say, in short, smokers were stocking up for both Cinco de Mayo and the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. It didn't hurt, they added, that the weather was nice.
In the popularity contest that is Washington's pot scene, two Vancouver shops are smoking the competition.
According to the State Liquor Control Board, New Vansterdam and Main Street Marijuana, located within five miles of each other, are the top two sellers in the state, raking in nearly $14 million dollars since recreational weed was legalized last July.
The number three seller, was Seattle-based Uncle Ike's.
Owners in Vancouver are grateful for their hometown support.
"We opened in Vancouver. It's a fantastic community," said Shon-Lueiss, marketing consultant for New Vansterdam.
Still, they know that success is largely thanks to their impatient neighbors to the south.
"It's our proximity to the Portland market," said Ramsey Hamide, owner of Main Street Marijuana. "We get a tremendous amount of traffic that crosses the border."
Portlander Brian Morrison traveled to Main Street Marijuana on Tuesday.
"I think it's like the older population who doesn't want to deal with the illegality of it, dealing with young kids, meeting in parking lots and stuff like that," he said.
Whatever the motivation, officials say it's proving pretty powerful.
Statewide, pot profits and resulting tax revenue have been climbing since last summer.
Throughout the month of April, officials say Washington retailers, on average, racked up more than $1 million per day in sales.
"We've seen the prices come down to street-level or below, $10 a gram, and we've seen the foot traffic is increasing and the sales volume is increasing also," said Hamide.
Still, when it comes to competition, the clock is ticking. Recreation weed stores could begin popping up in Oregon as soon as next year.
While it could keep valuable customers at bay, owners say they welcome the company.
"It's a bit scary actually to be the only state in the corner of the country where it's legalized," said Shon-Lueiss. "You get Oregon on board... Yeah, there's more competition, but it also means more states are legalizing. More are seeing the opportunity marijuana can be."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Vancouver pot shops smoking competition in Wash. pot industry
Author: Maggie Vespa
Contact: Contact Us | kgw
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: kgw.com | Portland Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - KGW.com
Officials say the state's budding industry set a new record on May 1, with retailers raking in $1.83 million in a single day.
Shop owners say, in short, smokers were stocking up for both Cinco de Mayo and the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. It didn't hurt, they added, that the weather was nice.
In the popularity contest that is Washington's pot scene, two Vancouver shops are smoking the competition.
According to the State Liquor Control Board, New Vansterdam and Main Street Marijuana, located within five miles of each other, are the top two sellers in the state, raking in nearly $14 million dollars since recreational weed was legalized last July.
The number three seller, was Seattle-based Uncle Ike's.
Owners in Vancouver are grateful for their hometown support.
"We opened in Vancouver. It's a fantastic community," said Shon-Lueiss, marketing consultant for New Vansterdam.
Still, they know that success is largely thanks to their impatient neighbors to the south.
"It's our proximity to the Portland market," said Ramsey Hamide, owner of Main Street Marijuana. "We get a tremendous amount of traffic that crosses the border."
Portlander Brian Morrison traveled to Main Street Marijuana on Tuesday.
"I think it's like the older population who doesn't want to deal with the illegality of it, dealing with young kids, meeting in parking lots and stuff like that," he said.
Whatever the motivation, officials say it's proving pretty powerful.
Statewide, pot profits and resulting tax revenue have been climbing since last summer.
Throughout the month of April, officials say Washington retailers, on average, racked up more than $1 million per day in sales.
"We've seen the prices come down to street-level or below, $10 a gram, and we've seen the foot traffic is increasing and the sales volume is increasing also," said Hamide.
Still, when it comes to competition, the clock is ticking. Recreation weed stores could begin popping up in Oregon as soon as next year.
While it could keep valuable customers at bay, owners say they welcome the company.
"It's a bit scary actually to be the only state in the corner of the country where it's legalized," said Shon-Lueiss. "You get Oregon on board... Yeah, there's more competition, but it also means more states are legalizing. More are seeing the opportunity marijuana can be."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Vancouver pot shops smoking competition in Wash. pot industry
Author: Maggie Vespa
Contact: Contact Us | kgw
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: kgw.com | Portland Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - KGW.com
