‘Cannabis dispensary’ now open in Norris, says business has been robust
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Owner Brandi Addington says her new Wake & Bake hemp-products store in Norris has already bcome a hit with customers. - G Chambers Williams III
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Elias Jolly-Knight, manager of the new Wake & Bake can- nabis store in Norris, stands with displays of some of the store’s top products. - G Chambers Williams III
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Wake & Bake Cannabis Dispensary is in the same small shopping center with Liquor Depot on Andersonville Highway in Norris. - G Chambers Williams III
One of the newest businesses in Norris – Wake & Bake – describes itself as a “cannabis dispensary and smoke lounge,” and after a few months in operation, sales have been robust, the owner says.
The store, at 3354 Andersonville Highway (next to Liquor Depot), was made possible by the Farm Hemp Law, passed in 2018 and modified a few times since then.
Gov. Bill Lee signed the new law, which regulates and taxes CBD/hemp products for the first time in the state.
The bill broadly legalized hemp-derived cannabinoid products – including those that can produce a high similar to marijuana – making the products legal to sell and purchase in Tennessee.
But the products must have a THC content lower than marijuana, to meet state legal guidelines. Marijuana is not legal in Tennessee.
A change that went into effect July 1 prohibits sale of these products to anyone under age 21.
At Wake & Bake, no one under 21 is allowed inside the store, said owner Brandi Addington. She also owns and operates an automotive alignment business in Knoxville.
Wake & Bake manager Elias Jolly-Knight said the store offers are variety of hemp-derived products, including CBD lotions and creams, pet treats, and munchies, including gummies, chocolate bars and Rice Krispie treats.
There are also smokeable forms, including THCA flour, and the shop allows customers of age to sample some of those with special pipes on a counter in the store.
The hemp products are sold to help people overcome anxiety and other health problems, including insomnia.
About half of the clients are over age 60, and use the products to help them cut down on the need for some prescription drugs, Jolly-Knight said.
“This has helped a lot of people,” he said. He said working at the store has been “a learning process” for him.
“My favorite part is educating people about it,” Jolly-Knight said.
Addington said she started Wake & Bake “kind of on a whim.”
“We live by the lake, which is why we opened here,” she said. “We weren’t sure if it would work. We already have an amazing customer base.
“But I’m just scratching the surface on what I know about this business so far.”
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.