HAPPY CUSTOMERS SWAMP POT STORE
Police say crowd well-behaved
LEICESTER — Forget Black Friday. Yesterday was Toke Tuesday.
Hundreds of weed lovers lined up before dawn in driving rain, as legalized recreational marijuana for the masses became a reality here and in Northampton.
Veteran Stephen Mandile, his wife, Jessica, and their Great Dane Syd were first in line when the Cultivate dispensary in Leicester opened at 8 a.m., the drenched air already permeated by the perfume of Mary Jane.
“It was absolutely a great experience. All the employees at Cultivate are super friendly and very motivated this morning,” Mandile said after filling a paper bag with Purple Punch and other high-inducing treats from a modest building that could easily be mistaken for a public works outpost.
“It’s kind of like completing something,” said Mandile, 41, of Uxbridge, who began advocating for the legalization of marijuana three years ago.
Voters agreed with him two years ago.
By noon, there was a three-hour wait in the cold, wet weather to get inside.
Leicester police Chief James Hurley, who introduced himself to the throngs, said, “Everything seems to be going fairly smoothly right now. We did run out of parking earlier this morning. I have to say that I think the volume of people that showed up exceeded what we expected, but it was strictly because of what I call a lot of marijuana tourism ... driving by to take photos.
“Everybody’s been very well-behaved and we’re most appreciative of that,” the chief added. “There’s been no public consumption that we’ve seen. We’ve been on the lookout for that and driving under the influence.”
And lest the munchies be forgotten, a gourmet grilled cheese food truck on site has also proven a big hit.
Nicholas Ash, 32, of Ayer carried in a folded American flag on his lap as he perused the shop from his wheelchair. Ash, who said he is terminally ill with cancer, credits cannabis for why he has “passed my expiration date.”
“Today is just amazing — an amazing day in history,” an emotional Ash said. “It’s a
‘It was strictly what I call a lot of marijuana tourism ... driving by to take photos.’
JAMES HURLEY Leicester police chief
life-saving medicine. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for cannabis.”
Marijuana use is still a federal crime. Under state law is is illegal to use pot publicly or in a car on a public way.
Cultivate President Sam Barber said he has urged his staff to take their time with everyone, making sure they leave with educational materials warning them not to drive while under the influence of Cultivate products.
“This is the same deal as alcohol,” he stressed. “The other part is, with some of our infused products, making sure they’re starting low, taking an hour, two hours, to feel the full effects.”