The first recreational marijuana shop in El Paso County opens its doors

More than 60 people stood outside Maggie’s Farm Thursday, waiting for the first recreational marijuana shop to open.

At 4:20 P.M. the “open” sign came on, and employees began to let waves of people inside.

Some customers began arriving early Thursday morning. By midday, a handful of people waited around the parking lot, while employees finished last-minute preparations. Close to 4 P.M. the group had grown to about 60 people.

Lawrence Basco waited since 10:30 A.M. He was the second person to purchase marijuana at Maggie’s Farm.

“I think it’s awesome, I think it’s a right that we have and we should be able to do this,” he said.

Manitou Springs City Council approved a license for Maggie’s Farm in May. But not everyone’s celebrating its opening.

“I think it’s going to bring a lot of things we don’t want here,” Hart Navarro said.

Even though she doesn’t agree with the sale of recreational pot, Navarro said whe will give the business a chance.

“I feel it’s going to bring a lot of business to Manitou and hopefully everyone will grow business wise,” Navarro said.

Voters in Manitou Springs will decide in November whether to ban the sale of recreational marijuana. A group of residents gathered enough signatures to put the question on the ballot.