‘Walmart of Weed’ to Open in DC Tomorrow

The political climate surrounding certain issues seems to have undergone a sea change in the past decade- gay marriage being one obvious example, and the legalization of marijuana hot on its heels as an issue for which many Americans are rapidly changing their minds and stances.

Medical marijuana is always a sticky subject in the United States as it is legal on the state level in several jurisdictions, but remains illegal at the federal level. Still, it seems that more and more states are joining the number that have legal dispensaries and a thriving medical marijuana industry, and Washington DC (though obviously not a state) is the newest place to begin allowing the use and sale of medical marijuana within its borders.

77% of Americans support legal medical marijuana, but the issue has stalled out in many jurisdictions- largely because politicians are often reluctant to attach their names to a push to legalize weed in any fashion. Sixteen states allow for it however, and DC is about to join the fray of states in which you may smoke it if you got it. (It being a valid prescription for pot.)

But legal dope means increased business opportunities for brave entrepreneurs, and USA TODAY profiled one such enterprise, dubbing it the “Walmart of weed.” (Just for a second, I’d like you to sit back and imagine an actual Walmart of weed, and then think about why we spend so much time quibbling over single-payer healthcare, when we could actually all get together and make that a reality.)

weGrow is not a dispensary, but aside from seeds, the California-based chain carries everything you need to grow your own magic dragon to puff. WeGrow’s founder Dhar Mann spoke to the paper about why it is important to openly embrace the shop’s true purpose rather than engage in past practices of selling wares as for “tobacco use only.” Mann explains:

“The more that businesses start to push the envelope by showing that this is a legitimate industry, the further we’re going to be able to go in changing people’s minds.”

He continues:

“For the longest time, it’s been a don’t ask, don’t tell industry… Most people still want to hide behind that façade.”

WeGrow’s doors open in DC on March 30th. Do you want your state to legalize medical marijuana?