Herbs House (716 NW 65th St), Ballard’s first recreational cannabis shop, will be opening in early January, providing a much anticipated recreational store on the north side of Seattle.

Herbs House has been serving medical cannabis patients for almost two years, and co-owner, Sharon Jacobson, is excited for the shift to a recreational store.

“I am ecstatic; I’m totally excited to open one of the 21 shops in Seattle. It’s a dream come true. I am finally seeing all the hard work come to fruition. It’s amazing, “ said Jacobson.

Jacobson said that they still have some inspections from the State and that their opening will hinge on how soon the State inspectors approve her shop and issue her a license.

When they do open, Jacobson said that she plans on still providing the highest quality ghanja and will use some products from medical cannabis growers she has already been working with — that is, the ones that have State licenses.

“You can pick vendors, but they have to be compliant with sate regulations. I am trying to carry higher quality product rather than the cheapest I can find.”

Until Jacobson receives the go ahead from the State, she has to refrain from buying inventory, but in the meantime she has been shopping around, searching for the products she believes are what her customers will like.

“I can’t purchase anything until after I obtain my license, so I’ve been touring facilities and checking out products. I want to make sure they are best I can find. I have a few farms I’m working with already.”

Jacobson said that some recreational shops are carrying keef and oils (concentrated products), but as of now those producers are not making the quality she wants to supply in her store. She does plan to eventually have the variety of other recreational shops as soon as a producer shows her the quality she has in mind for her store.

Many medical cannabis patients know Herbs House as their access point for high- grade grass. The shop opened in September of 2013, and since then they have been supplying customers with not only smoke, but healthy, freshly squeezed juices and shakes.

Jacobson plans to have the same comfortable experience for customers that she has provided for patients.

“I feel like it’s more of a home-style place. We are laid back and someone of an older age would feel comfortable coming in. It feels like going to your grandma’s house or mom’s.”

Jacobson brings to the table years of operating a business in the cannabis industry and feels that what she has learn will make the transition from medical to recreational a smooth one.

“In general, overall operating a business and managing a store and working in the industry give me a heads up over people that don’t have experience and are out of state and are totally new to this whole thing. I think it will work out in our favor.”

With all the new regulations, changing from medical to recreational can get a little hazy.

“I just think the severity of the rules and making sure that you abide to the rules is the biggest part. We are coming from an almost unregulated market (medical) to a 100 percent regulated one. It’s like doing a 180.”

As for the her patients, Jacobson anticipates they will stick to the accessing their medicine from other medical collectives because recreational cannabis is still very expensive compared to medical cannabis. State pot is taxed three times in the long road from seed to consumer, and averages around $40 a gram. Jacobson hopes that once more stores open and the cost comes down, patients will returned to her shop.

A pound of medical grade cannabis. Shane Harms.

“I think as supply rises, prices will drop. They will have to. I’ve gone to some stores and see $60 a gram and it’s outrageous. “

She also thinks that it makes sense for patients to continue accessing from medical stores if they have the authorization.

“I would say I encourage patients to renew their medical recommendations because of what is going on (State legislation) and the lack of variety on the shelves and the quality (recreational) . It’s going to take a while to get up to par where the medical has been. Plus the price difference is drastic.”

As for Herbs House cafe, Jacobson said that she will be forced to stop selling juices and shakes because the State does not allow the two types of businesses to operate in the same place.

“I wish could keep it open, but unfortunately we are not allowed to do that with the recreational shop. They can’t co-mingle. I might consider opening it at different locations, but for now I’m just trying to hone in on my immediate goals and see what happens from there.”

As for opening day, Jacobson is not anticipating a crowd like what happened at the SODO store, but would be pleased to see one.

“I feel like the hype has gone down a bit. It could happen (a line) because people don’t have to go all the way down to SODO. I wouldn’t have a problem with it.”