Colorado will soon be opening gas stations that double as marijuana dispensaries, according to local NBC affiliate KOAA.
Native Roots, Colorado’s largest marijuana dispensary, announced its new “Gas and Grass” stores will be opening at two locations in Colorado Springs this October.
“[We are] changing the way people buy marijuana with the introduction of Gas and Grass,” said Mandy Melby, a spokesperson for Native Roots. “Rather than make a separate stop for pot, customers can cover two errands in one.”
“What we are doing is really just placing the convenience of gas next to a medical dispensary.” she said.
Concerns have popped up about potential safety and legal risks, as well.
“You’re not allowed to smoke in our centers ever. That is a state law, it’s local laws. There’s many, many rules and regulations that prohibit any on site consumption,” said Dave Cuesta, another spokesperson for Native Roots, in an interview with Fox 21 News.
Some students at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs also expressed concerns about the new gas stations.
“If they open these gas stations, we are basically saying that marijuana is okay and making it easier for people to be able to obtain it,” Haileigh Willeford, a local CU Colorado Springs student told Red Alert Politics in an email. “We will have more people using it and causing more problems from driving while high, to underage smoking, to theft rates rising.”
Native Roots has emphasized that the dispensary and the gas station will be two separate entities.
“We are still in the concept stage and are working to keep it a local play until we open in the next two weeks,” Melby said in an email.
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