New sales numbers from the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) indicate that citizens in Spokane County have spent more on retail cannabis in the last year than on bread, wine or milk products, according to an Associated Press report.
LCB data indicates that just over $43 million worth of cannabis was purchased in Spokane County during 2015 — or approximately $225.64 per household. In contrast, the average household spent $154.85 on wine, $155.37 on milk and $109.71 on bread during the same stretch of time.
Beer sales did surpass retail marijuana sales — but just barely, with a $232.70 average.
It’s an important consideration that not all cannabis was purchased by residents of the county: consumers from neighboring Idaho and nearby Montana are certainly padding the county’s numbers, as retailers can sell to anyone over 21 regardless of their origins. There are 17 licensed marijuana retailers in Spokane County.
Monthly cannabis sales by legal retailers in Spokane County broke $5 million this March.
Statewide, the LCB is currently tracking up to $2.8 million per day in state-registered marijuana sales.