City’s First Dispensary Launches with Saturday Wake-and-Bake Bash

Maricopa welcomed its first dispensary today, as construction workers put the finishing touches on the new building. Trulieve, a Florida-based cannabis retailer, hosted a celebratory event to mark the occasion.

The grand opening, scheduled for Saturday at 7:45 a.m., will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, DJs, food trucks, and a 40% discount for customers. Budtenders shared the details with local reporter InMaricopa, emphasizing the event’s festive atmosphere.

As of this morning, mostly construction workers filled the parking lot, while a few customers explored the interior of the dispensary. Upon checking IDs, customers were guided to a retail space showcasing various cannabis products. The facility contains eight ordering bays for both recreational and medical cannabis.

Today was a first day for several employees, some still acclimating to the new computer systems. The hum of power tools echoed through the shop as final preparations continued. Staff reassured that the building would be ready for customers by Saturday.

Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers expressed pride in expanding to Maricopa, emphasizing the company’s commitment to quality and customer service. This opening occurs three years after Arizona legalized recreational marijuana sales through Proposition 207.

While customers inside the dispensary chose to remain anonymous, local discussions on social media indicate a mixed reception. Some residents expressed contentment that a dispensary opened before any liquor stores, while others voiced concerns about the implications for community safety.

The dispensary, located at 44405 W. Honeycutt Ave., is beside the still-under-construction Lowe’s Home Improvement. Trulieve also operates multiple locations across Arizona, including Mesa and Tucson, enhancing the growth of the local cannabis market.

Furthermore, another dispensary named Nirvana Center is expected to open on Papago Road in the Hidden Valley neighborhood of Maricopa.