PORT TOWNSEND — A retail recreational marijuana store is now open in Port Townsend, nearly three years after Washington voters legalized marijuana use for adults.
Reefer Den, 2123 West Sims Way, had a soft opening over the weekend.
Store owner Gracen Hook — who originally projected an opening date of November 2014, followed by May 2015 — said the current opening is perfectly timed.
“I opened late because I wanted to offer good product at the best price,” said Hook, 24.
“I wanted to wait until everything was right and make sure that everyone in town is able to get high quality, reasonably priced cannabis right from the start,” he added.
State voters approved Initiative 502, legalizing the sale of small amounts of recreational marijuana to those 21 and older, in 2012.
Hook hasn’t finalized his hours of operation, but expects they will be within the 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. range.
This week, Hook plans to offer about 35 varieties of smokable cannabis priced from $8 to $14 a gram as well as a selection of edibles and concentrates.
He also has a selection of pipes and fancy glass bongs.
Hook said there has been some public pressure to open up sooner but the customers understand.
“Prices have fallen to where they are affordable,” Hook said.
“If I sold $20 grams when I opened, I would have alienated many of my customers.
“I wanted to wait until the price was right and really impress people with a high-quality experience. “
Medical pot shops
Hook has owned and operated two medical pot shops since 2013 under the Alternative Clinic name.
The location in the Shold Business Park in Port Hadlock is currently closed while the store at 1433 Sims Way will remain open until next summer at which time all medical stores must either close or convert to recreational sales.
Since Port Townsend is allowed only one retail store by the state, the medical outlet will then close.
The retail store has a 400-square foot retail space.
It was last occupied by the Olympic Trading Post for two years, and prior to that, McClane’s Cafe.
Hook doesn’t plan to use the entire building at first. Cannabis sales will be confined to a single room in the center of the building.
This opens the possibility of installing another business such as a cafe or a T-shirt shop in the front of the building, which is allowable as long as each business has a separate entrance.
Other stores
Reefer Den is the third recreational marijuana shop in Jefferson County, following Sea Change Cannabis at 282332 U.S. Highway 101 in Discovery Bay — the county’s first store, which opened in July — and Herbal Access Retail operated at 661 Ness Corner Road in Port Hadlock.
The county is allowed one additional outlet, but no other licenses have yet been awarded.
There are four recreational marijuana stores in Port Angeles: Mr. Buds at 536 Marine Drive, The Hidden Bush at 3230 E. U.S. Highway 101, Sparket R&R at 1403 E. First St., Suite B and The Green Flame, 4900 East U.S. Highway 101.
All marijuana businesses are cash only and do not accept bank cards or checks.
The Sequim City Council recently cleared the way for a retail marijuana store within the city limits by lifting a marijuana store ban. David Halpern is working to get a license to open a store.
Reefer Den’s store phone is not yet connected but the phone number, 360-385-4420, will be operational this week, Hook said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
