Ephrata store included in first round of retail pot licenses

EPHRATA - An Ephrata retail marijuana business was included in the first round of 24 retail licenses issued Monday by the state Liquor Control Board, about 20 months after voters legalized recreational pot.

The applicants were notified via email early Monday morning. Rick Reimers, owner of High Time Station at 1448 Basin St. NW, said he's hoping to open for business Tuesday or Wednesday. A lack of marijuana product available from processors could push the opening to later in the week.

Reimers said he may have to place orders on the west side of the state to find marijuana product to sell, adding he has "feelers" out for products. Reimers said the initial shortage will likely mean high prices. Anyone over age 21 will be able to buy up to an ounce of marijuana when stores open.

Just 10 of the 24 licenses approved Monday were issued in eastern Washington.

Reimers also owns the Urban Archeologist second-hand store. He said about 600 feet of the store was converted into the marijuana retail location.

Businesses that received licenses Monday can begin selling marijuana Tuesday after the product is entered into the state's traceability system. The locations that received licenses were selected by taking into account population, geographic dispersion and the individual applicant's readiness to be licensed, according to the Liquor Control Board, which will continue to issue producer, processor and retailer licenses as those applications are completed. The board has allotted 334 retail locations across the state, including seven in Grant County.

To date, the state has licensed more than 687,000 square feet of plant canopy for marijuana production, roughly the equivalent of a dozen football fields.