WASHINGTON: Jenny Carbon & Shauna Mindt have become familiar faces to the Redmond Town Council, appearing regularly over the past three years giving testimony at countless public hearings in an effort to change local zoning restrictions that are impeding the couple’s ability to open the first pot shop in upscale Redmond, WA.

Awarded a lottery #1 position in March of 2014, the pair has found it nearly impossible to find a licensable property due to the tony community’s multitude of parks and other state mandated buffers.

While the city of Redmond voted 62% in favor I-502 in November, 2012,  legalizing the adult use of recreational marijuana, the city council has chosen a cautious “wait and see” approach for making any changes that would reduce restrictions, until this week. On June 7^th, the body voted unanimously, with a 6-0 vote, to reduce buffers from 1,000 to 100 ft. —  the first city in Washington state to adopt the minimum requirements.

Although the journey has been much longer and more difficult than ever imagined what the duo has discovered is that “winning over hearts and minds takes time.

“There’s no greater victory then having the full support of your city council behind you,” Carbon told MJ News Network.  “Now we can get to the work of delivering safe and responsible access to our community.”

“We are thrilled to push open this door of discovery for Redmond residents,” Ms. Mindt added. “The world of what cannabis has to offer is still just beginning and what awaits us is amazing. We are very grateful to be at the forefront of the cannabis movement and thank the Marijuana Business Association, the Cannabis Women’s Alliance and support of entire community for bringing us across the finish line.”