diegopellicer.jpg
A former Microsoft manager plans to launch a chain of high-end pot shops in Washington state aimed at a white collar crowd. (Image courtesy Geekwire)

'Bill Gates of bud' plans high-end pot empire

BY Josh Kerns  on December 7, 2012 @ 1:11 pm (Updated: 5:38 pm - 12/7/12 )

A lot of pot smokers can hardly wait for next year when the newly legalized drug goes on sale. Initial plans call for marijuana shops modeled after state liquor stores, but an enterprising ex-Microsoftie has a much more luxurious vision.

Forget a sterile, fluorescent lit convenience store-like shop or a bunch of dread-locked dudes sitting on a musty couch. Former Microsoft manager Jamen Shively envisions something more along the lines of a high-end cigar shop catering to a decidedly upper class clientele.

He showed off his initial ideas for a chain of retail pot stores in a celebration Thursday morning as marijuana legalization took effect.

His high end pot-products would be branded and marketed much like fine liquors or cigars. Rather than plastic bags and jars, his top quality bud would be encased in stylish, decorative translucent containers. It would all be marketed under the "Diego Pellicer" brand, named for his great grandfather, a hemp grower and seller back in the 1800's.

He's been called by some the "Bill Gates of bud." For now, Shively is funding the idea out of his own pocket. He's assembled what he calls a "dream team" of top lawyers and creative talent, and expects plenty of investors to flock to the idea once the state approves about 350 private retail pot stores.

A study by the Washington State Office of Financial Management predicted annual marijuana sales could top $1 billion, with millions more spent on everything from growing equipment to paraphernalia.

"We're focused on Baby Boomers - basically wealthy Baby Boomers," Shively tells KING 5. "It's a $100 billion industry in search of a brand. Never in the history of capitalism - forget America, in the world - has such a giant vacuum existed."

That vacuum won't be filled any time soon. The state will take the next year to come up with all the rules for regulating the growing and selling of recreational pot. But Shively and many other prospectors are ready to jump on the coming green rush.

"This is the start of not just a company, but an industry," Allen Valdes, chairman of the board for Diejo Pellicer tells Geekwire. "It's a unique time in American history. Look at the 1930's with prohibition. If you look back in history and look at Anheuser-Busch and how other big breweries started out, there was no looking back. I think you'll see that with marijuana in the U.S. It's a pretty exciting time for us."

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Heartstopping
    Daredevils post breathtaking pictures atop Seattle landmarks

  • Snowy Passes
    Escape cold Seattle; go skiing at Crystal Mountain

  • Dirty Wars
    Director Jeremy Scahill says Obama hasn't been fighting a clean war
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (10)


  • Add A Comment

  • imanegro wrote...
    Great
    December 7, 2012 5:57 pm
    I guess potheads really do like capitalism.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Yeah ,His Great Grandfather sold hemp,sure he did
    December 8, 2012 8:12 am
    And probably the only person who calls Shively "The Bill Gates of bud" Is Mr Shively when he stares at the mirror and shaves in the morning. I have a feeling my Pablo Escobar bud shops will run Shively out of business,We will make him an offer he can't refuse
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Next Year!. How about Now. Whats wrong with Now!!!
    December 8, 2012 11:37 am
    It should priority number one. I hope that this state can start making fuel out of hemp. It would be so much cleaner. I thought you goverment wanted green clean air will nothing is greener cleaner them Marijuana Hemp farm making fuel for a better environment.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    If vote-hungry democrats weren't running the show...
    December 8, 2012 1:08 pm
    He'd be planning for federal prison. He's a drug lord. Without law, there is anarchy. Democrats say get rid of the law, it buys criminal votes...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    I won't pick Apples . . . .
    December 8, 2012 1:11 pm
    put I will pick at the Marijuana Hemp farm.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cameron wrote...
    There needs to be a partial repeal of the Smoking Ban.
    December 8, 2012 1:11 pm
    Perhaps now that 502 has passed, the State will wake up to the need for a partial repeal of the smoking ban. If the State really wants to make money selling pot, they will need venues that allow for the sale and consumption of pot on site. By forcing the consumption into private homes only and eliminating the opportunity for any socialization around the consumption of pot is a bad idea. If the State is counting on pot tourism, they need a coffee house type venue or a cigar lounge vibe for sales and consumption. The State should allow for private clubs, it is the way forward that allows them to maximize the potential for the sale of pot in this State.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sortaobv wrote...
    Cart before the Horse
    December 8, 2012 8:11 pm
    "It's a $100 billion industry in search of a brand" Actually, it's still Illegal. Perhaps Wanabill should play his toy cards a little closer to his vest until it is legal to start this mega venture. I'm sure more mature parties are already considering their options. Boy Blunder decided to go the PR route a little early.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • froggy wrote...
    Go ahead and start your business.
    December 8, 2012 10:57 pm
    That way when the Feds decide to invade us they will just have to check all of the licensing records to find you. Anyone wanting to be on the ground level of this better be wary. The Feds haven't decided what they're going to do. If they go hard line, being a start-up and going legal through the State will be like handing all of your information to the Feds so they can find you more easily. The Feds just don't toss you into jail either. Be a seller or grower and they'll seize all of your property associated with the stuff. Then they will sell your property for a profit. So I guess this just might work out for us for revenue after all.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Troll Hunter wrote...
    Hemp and marijuana are different
    December 8, 2012 11:28 pm
    Even though both come from the cannabis family, they are noticeably different in both looks and THC content.

    Hemp is grown for the fibers of the stalk and the seeds, while marijuana is grown for the leaves/buds. The hemp plant cannot be confused for the marijuana plant.

    Hemp has a very low THC level while marijuana has a much higher THC level; meaning you will get high smoking marijuana and a headache only smoking hemp.

    Hemp is grown legally in many countries across the world, including Canada, where it is a multi-million dollar industry. Obviously marijuana is illegal in almost every country in the world, although many talk a very laid back approach towards it.

    Research has shown that hemp growing is incredibly good for the soil as it puts many nutrients back into it that are lost during the growth of other crops. Hemp seeds have been found to have incredible nutritional properties; hemp seed oils are possibly the best to use in cooking because of these properties. Using the oil will not make you high because of the low THC content of the hemp plant.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }