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Pot Shops Open for Business in Washington State

CBN

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Recreational marijuana retail shops open in Washington state Tuesday, and pot shop owners are already worried they won't be able to meet the demand.

The news comes two years after residents voted to legalize marijuana sales for anyone over 21 years of age.

"There could be anywhere up to 10,000 people here," Amber McGowen from Cannabis City said. "There will be cops out on the streets looking for those people just too excited to wait till they get home."

More than 300 shops are expected to open, but only about 20 stores in the entire state were given permits to sell, so far. Shop owners are hoping they're ready for the rush of customers.

"This whole past week we've been working 12 to 15 hours a day. I hear that there is about 500 pounds for the whole state and that means there's going to be shortages for people," Bob Leeds from Sea of Green Farms said.

Meanwhile in Colorado, the legal pot business has brought in $70 million, providing the state $11 million in taxes since shops opened in January.

While Washington and Colorado now allow stores to sell marijuana, using the drug is still a violation of federal law.

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