I have written a couple of articles now stressing the importance of marijuana stores checking EVERYONE’S identification before they sell them marijuana. The entire world is watching the industry right now, and every misstep is magnified several times over by opponents and the media. That’s why every time I read about a marijuana store selling to a minor I kind of fly off the handle a bit. There’s no excuse for not carding everyone.
Yesterday there was a lot of sales that occurred in Oregon. I read one media report of a 55 year old guy getting quite upset that a store wouldn’t sell to him because his license was expired. The law says you have to be over 21, and that it has to be proven by valid identification. That guy’s license was expired, so they wouldn’t sell to him, and I’m 100% OK with that. No one customer is above the industry, and the industry is not above the movement. Something as simple as making one sell to an underage customer can be something that opponents parade in other states during campaign season to try to scare voters. No one sell is worth that risk.
Sadly, during the last round of compliance checks in Colorado seven businesses sold to underage customers. Clearly that’s seven too many. Per 9 News:
Since legal sales of recreational pot began in 2014, sting operations rarely resulted in underage sales. The first round of stings last year resulted in zero violations.
“We are disappointed,” said Lewis Koski of the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division in a statement. “Up until now these compliance checks have been a bright spot for the industry.”
Koski said that these busts reduce the industry’s overall compliance rate statewide to 92 percent.
-The Herbal Cure 985 S. Logan St.
-The Healing House 2383 S. Downing St.
-Pure Medical Dispensary 505 W. 40th Ave.
-LaContes Clone Bar 105 E. 7th Ave.
-Herbs 4 You 20 E. 9th Ave.
-Mile High Green Cross 852 N. Broadway St.
-Higher Expectations 1332 S. Cherokee St.
I do not like writing about this stuff. I have always hated highlighting the same stuff that opponents will eventually be highlighting. If you own a marijuana store, do your part and card EVERYONE. If a customer has a problem with it, explain to them that a small inconvenience for them is what ensures 100% compliance for the industry, which will down the road help other state efforts to legalize marijuana. And if they still don’t get it, feel free to refer them to me. I will repeat it one last time, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR MARIJUANA STORES SELLING TO UNDERAGE CUSTOMERS.
