Green Rush Events, a marijuana clubhouse that temporarily closed its doors after opening this past summer in Kenai, is operating once again with a few changes.
Joshua Bird, previously a co-owner, is now the sole proprietor of the business, which functions as a private club that allows members to bring, share and use their own cannabis products in the building located on the Kenai Spur Highway near the Salvation Army store.
Bird closed shop in what he called a temporary leave during the winter months, when business was slower. He also wanted to wait to see what the state’s final marijuana business regulations would be, he said.
Bird applied for a new business license as the sole proprietor of Green Rush, which was issued on Tuesday, according to the license details. He said he does not plan on applying for a marijuana establishment license for the time being.
“By most of the community, I’d say, it’s a safe, responsible dynamic and legal alternative to doing it illegally out in the parks or the streets,” he said.
According to state regulations that went into effect in February, “a marijuana establishment may not operate in the state unless it has obtained the applicable marijuana establishment license from the (Marijuana Control Board).” Right now, the state is only issuing licenses for retail marijuana stores, standard cultivation facilities, limited cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana concentrate manufacturing facilities and testing facilities.
Bird said he is confident the state will end up supporting clubhouses.
“I’m not really worried about it because I do believe the community and the state’s gonna stand up and say these are definitely needed especially for the tourist season,” he said.
In January, the Kenai City Council approved a moratorium banning the consumption of cannabis products at marijuana retail stores in the city until 2017. If a marijuana establishment applies for on-site consumption, the city will have the power to file an objection with the Marijuana Control Board, which, under state regulations, will have to deny the license. The moratorium also specifies that the city can object to clubhouses in the same way, when marijuana establishment license applications are filed.
Marijuana clubhouses have also opened in Anchorage, Homer and Fairbanks.
Bird has opened up the back of Green Rush Events building, which used to house an office, to include a kitchenette and workout area for members to use.
Green Rush will christen its reopening with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, complete with live music and food. There is still a membership fee for the club, Bird said. Membership is $10 per day or $30 per month, and veterans and medical card holders get a discount.
Reach Megan Pacer at megan.pacer@peninsulaclarion.com.
