Puyallup tribe celebrates cannabis store grand opening on 4/20 with Cheech and Chong

Photo above: April 10 Tribal-members-only soft opening. Left to right are James Rideout, Annette Bryan, Anna Bean, Chairman Bill Sterud (in black jacket), David Z. Bean, and Sylvia Miller. (Not present is Councilman Tim Reynon) – (Photo courtesy: Jennifer Squally, Puyallup)

The Puyallup Tribe is hosting the veritable grand slam of 4/20 celebrations by opening it’s second legal cannabis store in the Tacoma area, Commencement Bay Cannabis while hosting the iconic marijuana users, Richard ‘Cheech’ Marin and Tommy Chong.

Cheech and Chong, known for such movies as “Up in Smoke,” “Nice Dreams” and more, have long been known for their movies involving the comedy surrounding heavy marijuana use. In addition to their use in movies in the 70s and 80s, they now advocate for the use of marijuana in medicinal ways as well as recreational use.

Commencement Bay Cannabis is the second cannabis retail location that is part of Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterprises, an organization that is utilizing the growing popularity of the cannabis industry to create jobs and careers, education and training to tribal members and work to contribute to the tribal economies in the region.

The store had a soft launch on April 10, but is celebrating its official grand opening on April 20 or 4/20 the unofficial day to celebrate marijuana named after the law enforcement code 420, which indicates a marijuana-related offense. Cheech and Chong will be at the store’s grand opening from 2-4 pm, prior to an evening performance at the Emerald Queen Casino.

“Having Cheech and Chong here takes what would have been a great event to a new level,” said Puyallup Tribal Council Chairman Bill Sterud in an emailed statement to Indian Country Today. “This store is an important part of the Tribe’s economic development, and it’s wonderful to see our long-term plans coming together.”

The store has an impressive inventory as well as other offerings to benefit the public in terms of recreational and the medicinal use of marijuana. The store sells marijuana flowers, buds, oils, topicals, and edibles. It also has a self-serve kiosk as well as medically-certified consultants in selecting cannabis in terms of its medicinal benefits.

Jeff Mullens, the branch manager of the first retail location in Fife told The News Tribune that it was important for him to get his medicinal consultant certification. “I knew there was a medicinal benefit … that’s why I got into it.”

For those seeking information, a consultant “brings them into a setting to talk about the medicinal properties,” Mullens said to the Tribune. “So it’s a little more private, we get into a little more detail … when you look at the medicinal side they can actually start talking about the different terpenes and break down the plant and what it can do.”

Follow Indian Country Today’s associate editor Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter – @VinceSchilling. This story was originally published on Indian Country Today. Read the original article on Commencement Bay Cannabis grand opening.