Marijuana sales in Spokane County slide in January but still up over 2016

Spokane County pot shops sold less marijuana in January than in December, but revenue still topped last year’s figures.

The 29 state-licensed marijuana stores operating in Spokane County last month sold $7 million worth of product, off nearly 7 percent from the $7.4 million sold the previous month, according to numbers published Thursday by the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Year-to-year sales were up 43.6 percent last month, compared to the $3.9 million in earnings reported in January 2016. At that time, only 15 stores were open in Spokane County.

Greenlight, 10309 E. Trent Ave., once again sold the most marijuana of any retailer in the county. The store has posted the largest monthly revenue total for 17 straight months, a streak dating to August 2015.

The monthly decline in revenue for Spokane County pot shops followed a statewide trend. Shops statewide reported sales of $73 million in December, a total that fell to $67 million last month.

A 37 percent state excise tax is imposed on marijuana at the point of sale. That means Spokane County sales generated $2.6 million in tax revenue for the state last month.