The Herald first reported on a medical marijuana facility opening at Arrowhead Gardens, a senior living apartment complex in Highland Park, on March 9. Sure Can Access Point officially opened their doors on March 14 and we spoke with owner Damon Grady about his philosophy, security features of the store’s layout and concerns raised by a handful of Arrowhead tenants.

Why Arrowhead?
Grady, a Seattle native, said he chose a retail location at Arrowhead Gardens after a long search throughout Seattle. He said it moved slowly because many landlords are uncomfortable with hosting a medical marijuana establishment, but ultimately decided on Arrowhead because it was a decent personal commute from Mt. Baker and he “likes the neighborhoods of South Park, White Center and being part of West Seattle.”

Grady’s background and decision to open Sure Can
“I’ve been in support of medical marijuana for a long time and got my (medical marijuana) card about a year ago and saw this as a good chance to do something good for patients,” he said. “I just want it to be very affordable – that is the biggest thing. I know for patients, whether they come to us or want to go another avenue, prescription pills are very expensive.”

“Affordability for patients is the biggest thing and then having quality control over growing methods,” Grady added. “We have everything tested and thoroughly inspected before it comes in and goes on the shelves (to make sure the medicine) is free of bugs, parasites, molds, mildews.”

Each type of marijuana available as Sure Can has a full page printout of its chemical compounds and their percentages available.

Tenant concerns
A group claiming to be Arrowhead tenants concerned about Sure Can coming into their community emailed the Herald with a list of concerns including: Would it bring crime to our area? Will there be smoking allowed in the facility? Where is the protection for veterans with drug issues that cannot be near drug activity?

Grady said, “Security is tantamount.” He described the process: The front doors are open during business hours which lead into an initial lobby area. From there patients are required to show their current identification and medical marijuana authorization from a doctor (through a bank teller style window). Sure Can will verify the information by checking the doctor’s status with the Washington Department of Health. From there patients can be buzzed in through a magnet-lock door into a waiting area. Another magnet-lock door separates the patient waiting area from the medicine room where Grady said only one patient at a time is allowed. The building is monitored by ADT Security and surveillance cameras with off-campus recording cover all of the rooms.

Grady said no smoking will occur at Sure Can. The blueprints for the business show a “lounge” area and he said the architect and himself gave it that name in reference to an employee lounge – not for smoking marijuana but for lounging.

As for Arrowhead tenants with court-ordered limitations on staying away from drug activity, Grady said only medical marijuana patients are allowed inside. “We are not dragging anyone in here.”

“This community has been fine,” Grady said of his first few days at Arrowhead. “Everyone is smiling and ready to say hello to you which is nice.”

To those concerned about his business, Grady said, “I understand that it might be more difficult to explain this business and industry to some people living here because of the age difference and where they come from. People that are 40 years older than me may be less likely to accept medical marijuana.

I can imagine myself in their shoes and I can imagine being shocked if you thought something for so long and all the sudden there are 50 places in the city (selling medical cannabis). It is not hard for me to see another person’s point of view.”

Grady said many Arrowhead tenants have said “they are very happy we are open and people have already come down and are patients of ours.”

Patient information
Grady said new patients signing up with Sure Can Access Point are required to show the proper documentation and sign a “good patient” agreement, agreeing to not ingest their medicine until they get home, not to resell their medicine and to not bring firearms to the facility, amongst other things. It is open to all medical marijuana patients, not just Arrowhead tenants.

For more information on Sure Can Access Point, including a list of their medical marijuana strains and edible varieties, Grady said to visit www.surecan.org, call (206) 535-7645 or fax (206) 535-7674.

They are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It is a friendly, professional environment and a professional clinic,” Grady said.