Six or seven years ago I wrote a snarky piece about a guy named Ian Eisenberg and a business venture called Zevia. Eisenberg was an internet entrepreneur (Blue Frog Mobile) but Zevia was a dietary supplement (or was it a soda?) that's since been sold to an outfit in Los Angeles. Meantime, the health & wellness game has proven a cushy spot for Eisenberg: he's positioned himself, at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and E. Union Street, as the Poobah of Pot and Maharajah of Marijuana.
The shop is called Uncle Ike's, an emporium of legal weed in all its forms. Cash only. Beefy security guards checking ID. A completely separate building for accessories. Skeptical neighbors. Intense scrutiny from the state liquor board.
"I'm not selling pot," Eisenberg told me, "I'm in the regulatory compliance business."
Among the regulations Eisenberg needs to comply with: Seattle's minimum wage laws. Called out by some of his employees for paying less, Eisenberg now tells Capitol Hill Blog that he's going to hire a human resources manager.
Leave a comment