After going through the expensive and time-consuming process of constructing a new building and jumping through the many regulatory hoops put in place by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, Peter and Emiko Grubb are hoping to open Ferndale’s one and only recreational marijuana retail store this week. They are only waiting on the city to issue an occupancy permit for their newly constructed building, the last item keeping them from opening their doors.
The Grubbs live in Bellingham but own the Ferndale parcel where they have built their store. Emiko was the driving force behind the endeavor according to Peter. “She believes strongly in the ways hemp products can positively affect people and the planet.”
The store is located at 6061 Portal Way, one of few areas within Ferndale defined as eligible for marijuana retail businesses according to the City Planning Department. The city identified these areas to ensure such businesses are set at least 1,000 feet away from sensitive locations like schools, churches, parks and recreational facilities. When I-502 passed, the City set, as per the new law, a maximum number of retail outlets within the city limits to just one.
According to the Buds SOS website,
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Click for more informationAs lifelong champions for the environment, social freedoms and liberties, the owners of Buds SOS opened its doors with the intent of offering a safe and comfortable space for all people to learn and enjoy the bountiful gifts that this wonderful plant has to offer us and our planet.
Washington State voters approved Initiative 502 in 2012 legalizing marijuana sales in Washington State. But, while it is legal to sell marijuana and related products within Washington State, doing business is still a challenge. Banks and credit unions receive their charters from federal agencies and to date the federal government does not provide for legal sales of marijuana. As such, banks and credit unions can not comfortably set up accounts for businesses engaged in the sale of marijuana. “We want to pay the State taxes from the business’ profits but it won’t be as easy as writing them a check,” Peter told Discover Ferndale. He has been talking with other marijuana businesses and evaluating the ways they have dealt with this obstacle.
Products to be made available for sale at Buds SOS include marijuana, marijuana-infused chocolate, cookies and beverages and related paraphernalia.
Discounts are available to military and senior citizens.