Haines’ first marijuana store, Winter Greens, is open for business.
The dispensary, which had its grand opening Tuesday, is located at 75 Beach Road across from the cruise ship dock. Jason Adams and wife Shawna operate the business with Jason Adams’s parents, Kelleen and Brad Adams, who run the Lynn View Mercantile shop next door.
“It’s very much a family business,” Jason Adams said.
The state Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office officially approved Winter Greens for operation on July 2, effective July 5, according to the state’s website. Brad Adams is listed as the permit and business license holder.
At the store’s opening, Brad Adams checked IDs at the door before allowing only four to five customers in at a time. Long white shelves on a lime-green wall held glass jars of buds (flowers), and pre-rolls (joints) of about 16 varieties of marijuana. Two large glass cases displayed vape cartridges, concentrates of oil and hash, edibles, glass pipes, a small selection of bongs, smoking accessories and other products.
“Bud tender” Ed Hesse said he moved to Haines from Brookings, Oregon, just to work at the new shop. He said he grew cannabis down south and brings that expertise to Winter Greens. People can use marijuana recreationally or medicinally, he said, and will come in to the dispensary wanting products to help with sleep, anxiety, pain, inflammation, relaxation and more.
“Cannabis is like any other type of medication,” Hesse said. “You wouldn’t take Valium without knowing your tolerance, or without having a reason for taking it.”
Hesse said the store’s stock is basic as it gets started, and products will frequently change. Staff is working on creating an online product list. By state law, all the cannabis offered at Winter Greens is Alaska-grown.
Anyone 21 years or older with a valid ID is allowed to purchase products, cash only, up to 1 ounce of bud or 7 grams of concentrate. The Adams family said they expect the customer base to be diverse, including locals and visitors.
“So many people came off the cruise ship and asked where the dispensary was. (Our location) is a big plus,” said Brad Adams.
Haines resident Miranda Massey said Tuesday she had been looking forward to opening day. “I’m excited about knowing what I’m buying … products that aren’t off the street,” Massey said. She has anxiety and cannabis helps to calm her down, she said. She spent about 10 minutes talking with staff and picking products to take home.
Jason Adams said he plans to develop a loyalty program with discounts for returning customers. “We want to offer everyone an opportunity to just to come in and try some,” he said.
Brad Adams said feedback from the community has been largely positive, and support from the borough has been “amazing.”
Winter Greens joins about 60 dispensaries in Alaska, including one in Skagway and four in Juneau. The state’s Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office approved Resurrected Dreams, operated by Erika Merklin on Chilkat Lake Road, as a marijuana cultivation facility in Haines. A license for Glacier Bay Farms, a cultivation facility proposed by Carol Waldo for Helms Loop Spur, is still pending at the state level.