A new medical marijuana dispensary named Blüm will replace the Scotland Yard Spy Shop at 1085 S. Virginia St. in Reno’s Midtown district after its owners sold the property for about $1.2 million. The incoming operator, MediFarm—a subsidiary of publicly traded Terra Tech—marks Northern Nevada’s first entry for the California-based chain. This shift reflects Nevada’s evolving regulations that attract out-of-state businesses while promising local jobs and community integration.
Spy Shop Relocates as Cannabis Takes Center Stage
David and Debbie Currier, owners of the Scotland Yard Spy Shop, sold their Midtown location and purchased new property across the street for roughly half the price. They plan to relocate and expand inventory in the coming months, preserving their niche retail presence amid the area’s commercial growth. The transaction clears the way for Blüm’s April 2016 opening, positioning medical marijuana sales directly amid Midtown’s mix of businesses and foot traffic.
MediFarm Expands Amid Nevada’s Favorable Regulations
Terra Tech’s MediFarm operates dispensaries in other states and now targets Nevada due to its entrepreneurial rules, including no residency requirement for applicants and multi-state reciprocity for patients. Cardholders from elsewhere can legally purchase here, broadening the market. CEO Derek Peterson highlighted these factors, noting Nevada’s potential recreational marijuana ballot measure in November 2016 could rank its market among the nation’s largest. The company also builds a dispensary near the Las Vegas Strip and eyes two more in Clark County.
Community Focus and Unique Location Choice
Blüm’s site stands out for its proximity to residences and pedestrian areas, closer than Reno’s Sierra Wellness Connection or Sparks’ Silver State Relief. Peterson reported no location concerns after consulting neighboring businesses to build grassroots ties. The dispensary will hire locally, prioritizing military veterans, with events starting in January. Products will initially come from Nevada cultivators, shifting to MediFarm’s forthcoming in-house facility as it nears completion.
