While construction efforts move forward on the Snoqualmie Casino’s expansion and building of a hotel for its guests, the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is proud to reveal its latest revenue stream.

Fireweed Cannabis, the first cannabis retailer owned and operated by the tribe, is now open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

“Our team has been working hard to bring this idea to life so that we can provide economic opportunities for our tribe and serve the greater Snoqualmie community,” said Robert de los Angeles, the store manager, in an April 18 press release. “We are thrilled about this new venture into the cannabis industry.”

The 1,600-square-foot shop, located on the east side of Crescent Market at 37500 SE North Bend Way in Snoqualmie, is stocked with a variety of cannabis products from Washington state producers, including flower, vapes, pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures and topicals.

“We’ve got you covered any which way you want to consume,” said de los Angeles, who hopes the shop will act as a one-stop-shop for all things cannabis. “We have everything from edibles to oils and everything in between at varying price points so everyone can find something.”

Before the soft launch of the new shop in March, the closest dispensary to most Valley residents was Issaquah Cannabis Company at 230 NE Juniper St.

The grand opening marked the first success story of a cannabis retailer within the Snoqualmie Valley, following three failed proposals in the neighboring city of North Bend in recent years.

Rebecca Deming, North Bend’s community and economic developer director, cited property-related issues or negotiation challenges with property owners as the roadblocks for two failed proposals. The city approved the latest application in 2020, but the applicant failed to proceed before the proposal expired.

Deming said when cannabis retail proposals have reached the city council in the past, the community expressed concerns related to potential crime as well as the proximity of cannabis retailers to nearby residential areas.

Fireweed Cannabis has not received negative feedback since slowly ramping up operations in March, said de los Angeles.

“The positive effects for the Snoqualmie Tribe are the free expression of the tribes’ sovereign rights, economic growth and job opportunities for members,” de los Angeles said. “We are also one of the few dispensaries that offer full benefits.”

Fireweed Cannabis currently employs two members of the Snoqualmie Tribe as well as members of other Indigenous communities.

(Photo courtesy of Macey Wolfer)