Legal marijuana goes on sale in Washington



Washington on Tuesday became the second state to allow people to buy marijuana legally in the U.S.
without a doctor's note as eager customers who lined up outside stores made their purchases and savored the moment.

People began buying marijuana at 8 a.m. at Top Shelf Cannabis, one of two Bellingham stores that started selling the drug as soon as it was allowed under state regulations. Several dozen people waited outside before the doors opened.

The first three customers in line were residents of Kansas, in Bellingham for their grandfather's 84th birthday.
Sarah Gorton, 24, of Abilene, Kansas, came with her younger brother Robbie, as well as her boyfriend.

"It's just a happy coincidence and an opportunity we're not going to have for a long time," said Sarah Gorton, a 24-year-old with dreadlocks and homemade jewelry. "I'm really thrilled to be a part of something that I never thought would happen."

Gorton's boyfriend, 29-year-old Cale Holdsworth, made the first purchase: two grams of pot for $26.50.
As customers applauded, he held his brown bag aloft and said, "This is a great moment."

The start of legal pot sales in Washington marks a major step that's been 20 months in the making.