It’s official. Recreational pot is now open for business.
Four local medical marijuana dispensaries opened their doors for recreational sales on Friday, making Long Beach the latest city in California to offer legal cannabis for anyone over 21.
The city on Thursday gave the following shops the green light after approving their applications:
- LB Green Room, 1735 E. 7th St.
- The Station, 1957 Pacific Ave.
- Connected Belmont Shore – 5227 2nd St.
- One Love Beach Club, 2767 E. Broadway
Recreational cannabis became legal at the beginning of the year with the 2016 voter-passed initiative, but the city waited several months before passing its own local law legalizing sales last month. Dispensary owners had to wait until Aug. 13 to submit applications to receive adult-use business licenses and then be subject to inspection checks.
The city currently allows 32 dispensaries to operate. Other dispensaries will be subject to inspection checks next week.
At LB Green Room on Friday morning, several customers rushed in to take advantage of the new law.
“I never thought this day would come,” said Cal State Long Beach student Jordan Hall, 25, who came from Cerritos first thing in the morning. “I’m excited to be able to buy without having to get a medical card.”
From cannabis-infused soda to vapes and CBD oil, the dispensary has more than 150 products for a range of tastes.
Curious about trying cannabis? LB Green Room owner Adam Hijazi has some tips for newbies and those who haven’t tired in years: