Justin Lapenter, right, a bud tender, gives Chris Horner, a Colorado State graduate who now lives in Niwot, change after Lapenter bought his first legal weed at the Terrapin Care Station on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, in Boulder, Colo. Recreational weed must be purchased with cash. The Terrapin Care Station, located at the corner of Folsom St. and Canyon Blvd., was the first recreational pot shop to open in the city of Boulder. Karing Kind, a recreational pot shop north of Boulder, was the first to open in Boulder County. (Kai Casey/CU Independent)
Boulder’s first recreational marijuana shop opened its doors on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Terrapin Care Station, located at the cross streets of Folsom Street and Canyon Boulevard, was one of two shops opening in Boulder County. Visitors came for a variety of reasons — some for its convenience, others hoping to relive their younger days. Most customers chose to remain anonymous when asked about their experience, while others refused to speak at all, reflecting ongoing uncertainty about the effects of marijuana legalization.
“One of my coworkers recommended this shop to me. I was satisfied, but I’ll probably end up doing some shopping around.” – Chris H.
“I can’t go in there anymore with my medical card ‘cause I’m 18, and the rule is changed to 21.” – Alex M.
“I haven’t bought pot since high school. If I like getting stoned, I’ll go back.” – Anonymous
“I have a medical card, but the prices at the stores are too expensive.” – Anonymous
![Kris Bunker of Boulder looks at a strain of weed at the Terrapin Care Station. "Dispensaries out [in California] are getting closed like crazy, but here is awesome. A lot of people from California are probably going to come out here," said Bunker, who recently moved from California. (Kai Casey/CU Independent)](https://www.cuindependent.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/20140218_TERRAPINCARESTATION_RECREATIONALWEED_FIRSTDAY_0084.jpg)
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Melissa Braun at melissa.braun@colorado.edu.
