Washington State Marijuana Shops Opening Their Doors

MIGUEL ROJO/AFP/Getty Images(SEATTLE) — Legal marijuana sales begin across Washington state Tuesday, an occasion that had some people camping out overnight to ensure a place in line.

Deb Greene, a grandmother of three and competitive runner, showed up more than a day in advance.

“I never thought I’d see it in my lifetime, and to be able to vote for it and to be able to enjoy it legally was just an awesome thing in my life,” Greene said.

The state joined Colorado, where sales began Jan. 1, by voting in November 2012 to legalize marijuana for adults over 21. The vote also created state-licensed systems for the growth, sale and taxation on the pot.

It turns out, voting for legal marijuana is easier than enacting it. While two dozen stores will open across the state, only one shop has been approved so far for Seattle – Cannabis City.

Shop manager Amber McGowan expects lots of buzz Tuesday.

“We anticipate 10,000 people,” McGowan said. “We hope to goodness we won’t get that much, because we don’t have that much product.”

Along with the crowds, a shortage is expected, too. Less than 100 of the 2,600 people who applied to be pot growers have been approved, leaving a limited supply of the marijuana available.

But stores will be ready Tuesday, with some managers arranging for food trucks and free water along with portable toilets to ensure that customers are comfortable during their wait.

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