Coast river business journal. (Astoria, OR) 2006-current, May 12, 2021, Page 8, Image 8

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    8 • May 2021
BUSINESS NEWS
Coast River Business Journal
Pacific County marijuana sales continue to soar
Story & Photos by Luke Whittaker
Coast River Business Journal
lwhittaker@crbizjournal.com
PACIFIC COUNTY — On a Tuesday after-
noon in April, a line of customers stretched from
the door of one Ilwaco business down the sidewalk
toward Howerton Avenue.
Some stood patiently for more than 30 minutes,
all awaiting an opportunity to purchase pot at Free-
dom Market.
It was April 20 after all, an unofficial holi-
day for marijuana enthusiasts nationwide, and
the Ilwaco pot store was among three retailers in
Pacific County ready to serve their needs. Each
Pacific County marijuana retailer reported robust
sales that afternoon spurred by specials that were
met with eager buyers.
Growers, processors and retailers cash in
As marijuana sales continue to skyrocket
in Pacific County, so has the revenue for local
processors.
Pacific County processor wholesale sales were
roughly $2.3 million for February, according to the
latest figures from the Washington State Liquor
and Cannabis Board.
Millennium Marijuana generated a bulk of the
revenue with $530,770 in sales, or approximately
22%. The Raymond-based business, which sells
under the Millennium Extracts label, produces a
line of marijuana concentrates, including shat-
ter, sugar wax, live resin and distillate cartridges.
Since 2015, Millennium Marijuana has generated
more than $32 million in sales overall, by far the
most in the county and among the top 25 in Wash-
ington state.
Raymond-based BMF Washington had the sec-
ond highest total with $432,448 in February, or
approximately 18%.
Raymond-based Two Heads Co. accounted for
$393,270, or 17%. Two Heads Co. has generated
more than $15 million in sales since 2015, the sec-
ond most in the county overall.
Meanwhile consumers within Pacific County
purchased more than $350,000 in marijuana prod-
ucts in February. The sales were relatively evenly
divided among the three county retailers.
Freedom Market in Ilwaco sold $139,664,
approximately 36%. Mr. Doobees in Seaview sold
$131,102, approximately 34%. Grower’s Outlet in
South Bend sold $117,554, approximately 30%.
All three Pacific County retailers are generat-
ing more in sales overall in 2021 compared to each
previous year since legalization.
So far in 2021, sales are up approximately 10%
overall compared to 2020, the most lucrative year
to date for the combined retail marijuana revenue
in Pacific County.
Stimulus spurs marijuana sales
Each stimulus package has injected increased
TOP: Customers line up outside Freedom Market, one of three Pacific County marijuana retail-
ers, on April 20 in Ilwaco. ABOVE: Products sold at Millennium Marijuana.
spending in the local economy, particularly at local
pot shops.
Local marijuana retailers reported surges that
mirrored each stimulus check and have become
accustomed to bracing for the barrage of custom-
ers that follow each check distribution.
In March, the most recent round of stimulus
checks, which included up to $1,400 per person,
plus $1,400 per child and adult dependent for those
who met income criteria, was part of the American
Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion relief bill. The stimulus
followed two previous ones during the pandemic,
including the CARES Act, a $2.2 trillion bill that
included $1,200 checks last spring, and the Con-
solidated Appropriations Act, which included $920
billion with $600 stimulus checks in December.