State regulators this weekend have approved two more dispensaries in Sacramento to sell recreational marijuana starting Monday when new voter-approved laws kick in, bringing the total to three outlets that can sell for non-medical purposes.
State regulators this weekend have approved two more dispensaries in Sacramento to sell recreational marijuana starting Monday when new voter-approved laws begin, bringing the total to three outlets that can sell for non-medical purposes.
All About Wellness in midtown Sacramento and Northstar Holistic Collective in Downtown Sacramento were the latest local retailers to get their temporary permits from the state. Another store, A Therapeutic Alternative in East Sacramento, got its state approval late Friday.
At All About Wellness on Sunday, owner Philip Blurton said he is planning on having two lines on Monday, one for patients and the other for recreational users.
“It’s nice to be one of the first dispensaries in California to have a medical and an adult use recreational license,” Blurton said. “Now we just have to be prepared.”
His shop was busy Sunday as medical users were trying to get their last purchases before new taxes kick in Monday. There was a line of about 10 people at the counter inside and a steady stream of people coming in and out the front door.
All About Wellness has an armed guard at the counter. The front door is remains locked at all times because of regulations, Blurton said, so a greeter stands at the metal door to open it for customers.
“Are we ready for what’s going to happen? We’re not sure,” Blurton said. “We don’t know if it’s going to be a rush of people. We really don’t know what to expect. We are fully staffed tomorrow, it’s all hands on deck.”
All About Wellness, Northstar Holistic Collective and A Therapeutic Alternative are the only ones so far in Sacramento that have both of the city and state permits required to sell recreational marijuana starting Tuesday, when the new year kicks off the start of legalized sales of cannabis for non-medical use in California.
The state Bureau of Cannabis Control is working through the weekend to process applications. The city has issued its own permits to 10 applicants.
