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'We need it. We want it. It’s good for people': Recreational sale of marijuana off to great start for Exclusive Brands in Ann Arbor

Posted at 10:25 PM, Dec 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-02 23:17:45-05

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — Legal marijuana recreation sales are in full swing here in Michigan, with sales topping more than $200,000 on the first day alone.

People keep coming into dispensaries in Ann Arbor to get their hands on legal pot and at Exclusive Brands, they’re prepared for the initial rush and say they have plenty of inventory.

"We need it. We want it. It’s good for people," said Tiffany Berry, who is visiting friends in Michigan from West Virginia.

The amount of people waiting to purchase legal marijuana is enormous and they’ve been waiting in line for hours.

"I think there’s a recreational market," said Omar Hishmeh, co-owner of Exclusive Brands in Ann Arbor.

At Exclusive Brands they’ve been ready for months, making sure they have enough inventory for the demand and helping other dispensaries as well.

"We are actually fullfilling orders to other recreational shops here in Ann Arbor," said Omar.

Keeping track of inventory and moving marijuana from the medicinal side to recreational is pretty straight forward, with a big increase in recreation sales.

"We serviced 900 recreational patients. Today we’re almost at about 500 and a little under 50 for medical," said Omar.

But getting into the dispensary isn’t as easy as just walking in, you could wait hours.

But people say it’s worth the wait.

"I’m super happy about it. I used to live in Reno, Nevada, it’s all recreational out there and coming back home it’s a downfall and it’s kinda influenced me to possibly move up here soon," said Berry.

At the end of the day Omar says his medical patients are still his top priorities.

"Number one clients are medical and the recreational patients have been really excepting and really cool with it. Medical patients come right to the front of the line. If there’s 500-600 people in line, they come right to the front of the line. It’s VIP service for medical patients," he said.

Remember if you plan on purchasing adult-use marijuana you must be 21 years or older and have a valid drivers license.