David Shelhorn buying product from a Weedology employee. Shelhorn was the second person in line for the marjiuana retailer’s opening day. (The Enterprise/Joe Siess)
ONTARIO – Karen Hamilton was No. 1 in line at Weedology, Ontario’s first marijuana retailer, when the doors opened for sales Friday.
David Schelhorn was second.
Hamilton is a physician, and used to practice medicine in Seattle. She recommended medical marijuana to her patients suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome and saw good results.
“That’s why I’m really big on this for veterans,” she said.“That’s why I want to get it legal in Idaho.”
Schelhorn, a drywaller from Idaho, has PTSD and is a recovering alcoholic, and he said that he credits marijuana with helping him stop drinking for the past 23 years.
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“This is a plant,” Schelhorn, said as he stood in line next to Hamilton. “God gave it to us for all of these reasons.”
A drone zipped around overhead taking aerial shots of the line of around twenty to thirty people, which continued to grow.
Hamilton said she got to the store at 7 a.m. and there was no one else there.
So, she took a ticket proving she was No. 1 and did some shopping before coming back to wait in line at 7:45 a.m.
Hamilton said she uses marijuana to help with her insomnia and pain and that doing so has allowed her to stop using her other medications. She added that she has PTSD related to her work as an M.D. and that marijuana especially helps with that.
“She’s on a mission to help people,” Schelhorn said, gesturing toward Hamilton. “And I am too,” he added.
“I am passionate about preventing physician burnout and working on projects to help fix this problem,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton and Schelhorn didn’t know each other prior to their visit to Weedology, but became acquainted waiting in line to be the first customers.
“I’m a drywaller, and this lady’s a doctor!” Schelhorn said, laughing.
Once the doors were officially opened, customers, some of whom had been there since 7 a.m., clutched driver’s licenses and lined up in front of the counter to get checked in. The telephone never stopped ringing.
Many people sat on the chairs and couches in the modern sitting area that was complete with two flat-screen televisions suspended overhead, and waited for their numbers to be called.
Once called, customers were allowed to enter a room where they could browse an array of products as well as consult with the “weedologist” on duty.
The “weedologist,” standing in front of a wooden shelf laden with merchandise, is there to make sure customers can find what they are looking for.
Have a news tip? Reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 541-473-3377.
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