The City of Pullman currently waits on the Liquor and Cannabis Board to approve two applications for two more cannabis dispensaries within city limits.

The board notified the city about a month and a half ago of the two applications after the City Council repealed a moratorium on dispensaries in late August, said Planning Director Pete Dickinson. The prospective owners can change their preferred location during the application process, he said, but they have only shown interest in one location: a grain elevator at 350 Stadium Way, near the intersection of Grand Avenue.

If the Board approves the applications, Pullman will reach its maximum number for dispensaries at five. The first two stores in Pullman regularly generate about $450,000 in monthly gross revenue. State taxes claim $165,000 of that and Pullman receives about $6,000, Dickinson said at the city council meeting last Tuesday.

“The marijuana industry is still in infancy,” he said.

He added that he expects Pullman to see more of the revenue as the state’s taxing system adapts to the new business. The cannabis marketplace is also going to have to adapt, he said.

One dispensary exists outside of city limits and there are plans for another at the northeast corner of Airport Road and State Route 270. Dickinson said a storeowner showed concern over market saturation.

The newly expanding industry will have to reach a balance, Dickinson said. Seven stores within eight miles may or may not be too many, but the city will treat them just like any other business.

The City loosened regulations on the shops’ signs to be more equal with other businesses in town, Dickinson said.

Many other businesses in Pullman join the Chamber of Commerce, but the dispensaries have not, said Marie Dymkoski, executive director of Pullman’s Chamber of Commerce.

“They are a legal business like the bookstore down the street,” Dymkoski said. “If they wanted to join the chamber, I would have no problems with that whatsoever.”

She said the Chamber of Commerce could offer them networking and development opportunities. The Chamber markets for the whole community no matter the business.

Dispensaries in legal states can attract business in tourism and joining the Chamber of Commerce can generate interest that converts to tax revenue.

Dymkoski said the Chamber reached out to the dispensaries but oftentimes, new businesses focus all their efforts on keeping their doors open and paying the bills rather than seeking out local marketing and networking opportunities.