The nation’s first government-run marijuana shop is officially open for business—and it already has one satisfied customer, in the city mayor.
North Bonneville, Wash. Mayor Don Stevens became The Cannabis Corner’s first customer on Saturday, where he bought several varieties, including Nobama Diesel and Blue Magoo. He told his local NBC News affiliate that they were both “quite enjoyable with a calming effect that made my evenings very relaxing.”
This was not his first marijuana experience, however—he has been smoking since high school.
The new shop will be run by five city-appointed board members, and its profits will be turned into grants to fund city projects, like fixing up its park.
“It’s a feeling of relief and excitement,” said Stevens. “It’s taken a year-and-a-half and people on our board and staff to get to this point.”
The town hopes marijuana sales will help boost its flagging local economy. “The reality is that our property values are already at record lows,” officials wrote on a Q&A for their town website. “It’s hard to imagine how being in the forefront of an emerging era with the increased tourist traffic, greater economic opportunities and a national media presents could lower property values any further. The only way appears to be up.”
