Marijuana retail store to open July 1 in Spokane, manager says

SPOKANE — The manager of what aspires to be the first recreational marijuana store in Spokane says it will open July 1, though state officials haven’t confirmed that. Scott O’Neil told a TV news station he’s feeling relief and tension as the big day approaches. Washington’s Liquor Control Board has not yet issued a retail marijuana license to O’Neil, but he’s in position to get one after getting a good number in the state’s pot shop lottery. O’Neil says he doesn’t smoke marijuana, but is getting involved for his friend Sean Green. Green got the state’s first license to grow marijuana, but under rules for the industry he isn’t supposed to have a stake in the retail shop. O’Neil’s shop is in the same building where Green’s Kouchlock Productions obtained its growing license. The state says it will issue licenses to several marijuana shops during the first week of July.