Adams County’s first cannabis store opens in Ritzville

The legalization of marijuana in 2014 in the state of Washington has led to the establishment of the first store of its kind in Adams County: the I-90 Green House. Owned and operated by Lind native Cameron Stevenson and his wife Jewel, the marijuana shop serves as a new business venture for the couple.

Located in Ritzville on Smitty’s Boulevard, the business draws from both locals and travelers for customers. The Stevenson’s are currently leasing the land from the neighboring business owners at Cow Creek.

The primary purpose for the Stevensons is to provide the highest quality product possible for their customers. The second focus for the couple is to offer an educational component in their business in order to help those ages 21 and over learn about their product.

Growing up in Lind, Cameron explained he understood and related to the negative connotation surrounding marijuana. It was not until he underwent multiple surgeries with little pain relief when he first came to realize the medicinal benefits cannabis can have.

After the legalization of marijuana in the state, Cameron quickly realized the potential for a successful business. He dedicated his time to learning about the restrictions surrounding the law, and investigated the potential of opening a shop near his hometown.

Living in Seattle at the time of the law’s passage, Cameron said they witnessed firsthand the success of cannabis shops in the area. After learning Lincoln and Adams counties did not have any shops currently established, he purchased a license from another applicant and is currently in the process of a change of ownership.

The I-90 Green House officially opened on July 29 and Cameron said they had been waiting for the official approval from the state and city. The day they received approval, they opened the doors and customers quickly began stopping in.

Cameron said the business received immediate positive feedback from visitors. He explained numerous locals came into the shop during its first week of operation, and many were not interested in buying merchandise, but learning more about the products themselves.

With a lot of misconceptions surrounding marijuana, Cameron said they are large proponents of starting an informative discussion with any interested parties.

Cameron said he understands many residents have concerns about a cannabis business being located in Ritzville, and he encourages anyone to visit the business and ask questions. He also hopes to provide a question and answer seminar for a community forum about marijuana.

Cameron stressed the importance of education but also doing all they can to ensure their products are not ending up in the possession of minors. He is interested in working in coordination with youth marijuana prevention programs and cooperating with law enforcement outreach.

One of the largest restrictions in the marijuana business is the implantation of security systems and safety measures. Every individual who enters the business must provide a valid form of identification before being allowed to shop the store’s products.

The shop also has 24-hour surveillance with 21 cameras onsite and panic buttons located throughout the shop. Cameron said the safety precautions are not only mandatory, but crucial to operating a safe and successful business.

Among the products on the shelves in the shop includes the most commonly recognized way of consuming marijuana, a bud used for smoking. The extensive selection of products shows the diversity and potential benefits of marijuana depending on the needs of the customer.

The store provides customers with an opportunity to consume marijuana in their preferred method. Many people prefer to smoke, Cameron said, but for those who either do not enjoy the smoke component or who are not interesting in visibly consuming the products, there are other options.

Cameron explained those customers who purchase recreationally tend to prefer the products with a higher THC content. He said the increased THC concentration provides the “high” recreational users prefer in their products.

But among the heavier THC percentage products, there are also a variety of homeopathic options. Cameron explained these items include a higher percentage of CBG, a composition which provides a more therapeutic option without the “high” associated with marijuana.

In addition to buds, customers can chose to consume the product through the use of oils, capsules, bite sized treats, aerosols or creams. For many, Cameron said, the medicinal purposes and the alleviation of pain are the largest benefits of the higher CBG percentage products, such as oils and creams.

Cameron said the CBG component numbs the pain and is recommended for individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy or who have chronic pain, especially for joints or bone pain. He explained the variety in products is geared towards providing relief or enjoyment to customers who want an alternative to smoking.

Along with products for humans, the shop also boosts a small supply of marijuana infused treats and medications for pets.

The products are geared towards dogs and cats, and Jewel said she has seen the positive effects it can have on animals. After her dog suffered from severe seizures, they tried a product and saw immediate results and improvement in the quality of life for their pet.

The majority of the marijuana sold in the shop comes from Kush Valley, located outside of Odessa. Cameron said the business is owned and operated by his cousins, who are focused on pesticide free and high quality products.

All of the marijuana sold at the shop is licensed through the state, and Cameron said they are quickly gaining attention with suppliers who are interested in bringing new products into the Ritzville business.

Cameron said the I-90 Green House shop benefits from an estimated 66,000 cars traveling by the city each day and they are looking to advertise to draw customers from off the freeway.

Cameron said his long term goal is to expand the business either with the addition of another shop possibly in Lincoln County, or by offering a tour opportunity where visitors could travel to the Kush Valley farming operation and also purchase products from the shop.

The Stevensons said the business never would have become a reality without the support and assistance from their family and friends.

Currently, I-90 Green House has a strong online presence with a Facebook and Twitter account, in addition to their website: http://I90greenhouse.com. The business can also be found on the Leafy app.

The shop is a cash only business but there is an ATM onsite.

To contact the Stevensons, call 770-4727 or visit the shop at 1611 B South Smitty’s Boulevard.