THE GREEN RUSH IS ON FOR BAY STATE
Police wary as pot shops open doors
The first recreational pot shops east of the Mississippi open today after a slow rollout with joints, chewables, vaping pens and lotions on sale with buyers being told to brace for sky-high prices and wary cops.
“I remain concerned that we don’t have the training or capacity to keep impaired drivers off our roadways and to ensure public safety on our roadways,” said Arlington police Chief Fred Ryan.
The doors open at 8 a.m. at Cultivate, a dispensary in Leicester, and at New England Treatment Access in Northampton.
Leicester police Chief James Hurley told the Herald he expects up to 1,000 buyers today. He compared the opening to “a Black Friday” rush and is urging pot seekers to follow rules or face arrest.
A shuttle bus service has been set up in Leicester to help cope with the turnout.
“We’re reminding people that public consumption and driving after consumption is prohibited,” Hurley said. “If police see that, they will take action.”
Chelsea police Chief Brian Kyes said illegal sales should also be heavily monitored.
“As we know, people under 21 can’t buy marijuana legally . ... People could buy marijuana legally and turn around and sell it to people who are underage,” Kyes said, adding he’s also worried about stoned drivers.
But some in the pro-pot crowd said this day was a long time coming.
“When I started advocating for medical, I didn’t expect us to get this far,” said Mike Crawford, a former MassCann/NORML member. “It’s very exciting.”
He added buyers should beware, the prices for pot — starting at $15 for a single pre-rolled joint and $25 for a two-pack of chocolate chip cookies — will remain high until more shops open.
“It’s all about the price. There will be a black market because the prices now will be way higher than what you could get it for on the street,” Crawford said. “Once there’s 100 shops in the state, the price will go down and people will buy from the shops.”
The tax on pot — 20 percent — will also be a buzz kill. But cash and cards will be accepted.
Everyone who gets in line will also need to show a val- id driver’s license or passport — and those documents will be scanned. All pot shops are also required to have security cameras inside.
Mayor Martin J. Walsh said he’ll be studying how it goes today with pot shops in Boston coming “early next year.”
“This really is a learning opportunity for us,” he said. “As more marijuana comes, there’s going to be a craving for it.”