weGrow, 'Wal-Mart Of Weed,' Set To Open In Sacramento

A retail store billing itself as "the Wal-Mart of weed" will open its doors in Sacramento tomorrow, the Sacramento Bee reports.

The 10,000-square-foot weGrow outlet, advertised as a one-stop shop for legal growers seeking supplies and training, claims the honor of being the industry's first-ever national franchise. Look for outposts of the self-proclaimed "first honest hydro store," which started as a solo warehouse operation in Oakland last year, to sprout up in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and even New Jersey in the coming months.

The Ganja Galleria doesn't sell any actual pot--it just offers growing and cultivation supplies, provides classes, and features an on-site doctor to help customers choose their favorite strain.

According to the Bee, the store's founder chose its opening location strategically. And he has no qualms being forthcoming about its purpose:

"I just thought it was a statement to have something close to the state Capitol," said Dhar Mann, who founded the original iGrow in January 2010. "It's a statement of how progressive the industry has become. We're all about coming out of the shadows."

With California, 14 other states and the District of Columbia legalizing marijuana for medical use, the hydroponics industry is exploding. But, unlike weGrow, most hydroponics outlets avoid any mention of marijuana, billing themselves only as generic suppliers for people growing anything from peppers to rosemary.

weGrow's unearthing has led CBS news to ask an essential question: Is medical marijuana going mainstream?

Comments

[Max Shaw]

01:06 PM on 03/16/2011

"...Is Marijuana going mainstream?"

Hahaha...Wow CBS, youre totally on top of the 'trends' these days..

[Eileenla]

04:28 AM on 03/01/2011

Can we just get over it and legalize it already? How much wasted energy could we free up if we stopped focusing on all these stupid issues? Like we don't have enough serious challenges to address!

[builderman55]

08:36 PM on 02/28/2011

For gods sake, just legalize the damn stuff. It's been 50 years since Reefer Madness! What an incredible waste of resources to keep a drug illegal that is used by so many responsible adults who use it just like the average person uses alcohol. The hypocrisy stinks..

[fumes]

05:09 PM on 02/28/2011

some of the best websites..

are stonersites!

http://www.dailysmoker.com/

[SinfullySublime]

03:47 PM on 02/28/2011

A retail store billing itself as "the Wal-Mart of" anything has already given me good reason to avoid it. Support your local farmers!

[bar1ed]

02:20 PM on 02/28/2011

This story should be HIGH on everyone's reading list!

[fumes]

02:07 PM on 02/28/2011

BUT..

will there be seeds for sale???

[GaNavy]

12:58 PM on 02/28/2011

Out-of-state customers will presumably want to pay cash........

[Ryan Tippens]

06:22 AM on 02/28/2011

All these people say legalize.....go right ahead,Im sure someone can use your job.Just because its legal doesnt mean companies will stop testing for it.You cant get a job at McDonalds in my town if you use it.

[rebel9999]

11:07 AM on 02/28/2011

It's a different day.

[CO Marijuana]

06:10 AM on 02/28/2011

Hey, it was bound to happen. I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar take place with dispensaries or MMJ providers - that is, a few of the best, most efficient and profitable medical marijuana centers will likely rise up as the real "Wal-Mart of Weed". weGrow sounds more like a "Home Depot of Weed," offering only growing supplies and education. It doesn't seem all that news worthy to me - a big grow supply store - but it is taking some of the attention from the Colorado medical marijuana scene.

http://www.marijuanaconnections.com

[tominnyc]

01:15 AM on 02/28/2011

how will people make it to work and other appointments on time?!

[darrinm69]

12:31 AM on 02/28/2011

How does a supply store put cartels out of business? Dealing drugs and paraphernalia is not an ethical business to begin with. Is it logical to think that if California legalizes weed, a cartel cocaine pusher will be out of a job? No, cartels are smart and diversify their enterprise much like investment bankers. Worldwide, drugs are a Trillion Dollar industry. Legalizing pot in California puts no one out of business and the tax revenue will fall short of expectations and people will still die trying to make a fraction of a dollar in a third world country trying to get their product into the US and Europe. If it is legalized, there will be restrictions on strength and certification programs to ensure the appropriate state determined purity. As a cartel I would challenge the state head-on with a stronger, more potent product at a lesser cost. Supply, demand, and economics will determine the market, not ethics.

[Zardoz99]

12:53 PM on 02/28/2011

You say not ethical? That is your concept, just an assertion. How about the trillons poured into armaments where our national economy is dependent upon these expenditures. Those expenditures and the extortion of the US taxpayer for this purpose is pushing the USA towards third world status for millions of its citizens.

[doglove]

08:42 PM on 02/27/2011

Sweet home Seattle

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41813318