Ephrata pot store officially opens

EPHRATA - Grant County's only licensed retail marijuana store officially opened its doors Tuesday afternoon in Ephrata.

About 30 people had lined up by 4 p.m. at High Time Station at 1448 Basin St. NE to be some of the first in Grant County to legally buy marijuana. Christina Lefler, who drove over from Spokane after hearing the store was ready to open, waited outside for nearly two hours before being the first in line.

The store was among the first two dozen to be licensed by the state Liquor Control Board earlier this month, but the lack of available product delayed the opening about two weeks. The store's owner, Rick Reimers, called it a "fluke" when he was able to receive a shipment of 413 grams, nearly a pound, of marijuana Tuesday, just hours before opening.

"When it's gone, it's gone," he said, adding he is still struggling to find a consistent supplier and available product. Reimers spent the past couple weeks calling licensed processors across the state before finding a processor in Bremerton that had product available because of a canceled order. He had been in contact with the processor for the past week but shipments were delayed.

Reimers said he expects the current supply to last only a few days but is not limiting the amount of marijuana, up to an ounce is allowed by state law, that customers can buy.

Reimers said the store will be open from noon until 8 p.m. as long as product is available.