Prior to legalization of marijuana in Oregon, Daniel Firey, manager of MsFitz downtown The Dalles, couldn’t call the water pipes displayed on the wall behind him “bongs.” With legalization, sales and inventory of related paraphernalia has increased substantially at the store.
Prior to legalization of marijuana in Oregon, Daniel Firey, manager of MsFitz downtown The Dalles, couldn’t call the water pipes displayed on the wall behind him “bongs.” With legalization, sales and inventory of related paraphernalia has increased substantially at the store.
When Oregon legalized recreational sale of marijuana last Thursday, Oct. 1, a hand written, purple sign appeared in the Third and Federal window of MsFitz downtown The Dalles: “Pipes 10% off.”
“I don't have to call them tobacco pipes anymore,” said store manager Daniel Firey. Before medical marijuana became legal, “You couldn't say 'bong,' you had to say 'water pipe.'” said Firey. “Now we can sell marijuana pipes.”
It's a big change for those dealing in the glass pipes and other paraphenalia long associated with smoking marijuana but sold under the “tobacco pipe” sign, said store owner Loranda Springs, who opened MsFitz seven years ago.
Prior to legalization for medicinal use, “pot pipes” were sold with no referance to their probable use. “We just sell the glass, not what goes into it,” said Springs. “What someone does with it after they leave is up to them. “We have always been legal, we've never had any problems,” she said.
Once legalized for medicinal use, “vapor pipes” recommended by some doctors became an important new component to the pipe display. The vapor pipes were also popular for tobacco, opening an additional market for sales: The pipe display began to grow, and shifted closer to the front of the shop.
Selling pipes to medical marijuana users, she heard their stories and could see a real benefit from the drug, which she does not use herself. “I feel like it helps a lot of people.”
With the legalization of recreational pot in Oregon, pipes are now front and center at MsFitz, occupying a long wall behind a glass display case. At MsFitz, the pipes are many and varied, a selection that primarily features glass in a carnival array of shapes and colors. On the wall are tall water pipes – bongs – from simple to bazaar. There are pipes made of wood and antler as well.
At one end is a case of “vapor kits” in cases. They look like fancy, oversized pens you might be awarded by the company. A typical kit has a main “vapor pipe,” powered by a battery, and three reservoirs - one for nicotine, one for marijuana, a third for concentrate. On the wall behind the cash register are rows of small bottles containing “juice,” or nicotine.
“We have what people need to use marijuana, recreational or medicinal,” said Sprngs.”Our inventory in increased daily.” She purchases most of the pipes from Oregon makers, she added.
Since recreational usage has become legal, Springs has noticed a change in her customers. “More people are coming in because it's legal. They don't have to be afraid to buy it.” Prior to legalization, customers were far more furtive. Pipes were legal, but smoking marijuana was not.
Marijuana pipes and e-cigarettes are not her only trade. She has jewelry, does body piercing and buys-sells-trades a host of items, from knives and swords to musical instruments to fishing poles.
“I'm versatile, I'm open to anything that's legal,” she said. “I think that’s why I’ve been successful.”
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