BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 AUGUST 9, FRIDAY) Blair, Nebraska isn’t exactly known for controversy. But lately, our town of around 8,000 has been buzzing – pun intended – with debate, all because of a sudden explosion of vape shops.
To understand the significance of five vape shops in Blair, consider this: According to multiple sources, there are between 10,000 and 25,000 “vape” or “smoke” or “e-cigarette” shops in the USA, depending on how loose of an interpretation of the term “vape” is used. That works out to a range of one shop for every 13,000 to 32,000 people. Blair would be overserved by only one. At five, Blair’s vape shops are like the U.S. seeing another 175,000 storefronts added before Christmas.
The proliferation of vape shops in Blair and across Nebraska stems from a complex legal framework rooted in both federal and state legislation. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and hemp-derived products nationwide, defining hemp as cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Nebraska followed suit with its Hemp Farming Act in 2019, aligning state law with federal regulations. This legislation created a pathway for vape shops to legally sell products containing hemp-derived compounds like CBD and Delta-8 THC, despite marijuana remaining illegal in the state.
While recent regulations have imposed restrictions on online sales and packaging, they haven’t prohibited physical vape shops. This legal landscape has allowed these businesses to operate in a regulatory gray area, capitalizing on the legalization of hemp while navigating the complexities of an evolving legal and regulatory environment.
When the first vape shop opened in Blair, it seemed to be a sign of the times. Something inevitable, maybe. A number of forces aligned that made – what would have been unthinkable a decade ago – possible. But even the Blair citizens who agree with, are aligned with, support, or patronize vape shops are befuddled over the now five vape shops that have a home in Blair.
On Facebook, Brenda Moore Neiburg commented, “I absolutely love the fact that Blair let’s in 5 smoke shops, basically all at the same time. We finally get new businesses in Blair and I won’t shop at any of them. Wouldn’t 1 or 2 do??” Her sarcasm practically leapt off the screen.
Back in 2022, Matt Saunders asked, “How many vape shops does Blair need?” A question which he posed after the first three opened. Now, at five, the question is even more pertinent.
To be blunt – pun intended – people see this as a startling development. Some folks are worried about the town’s image. Here is a sample of the conversation we found on Facebook:
- “Blair looks so trashy with these all over the place!! What message are we sending our young folks?? Not happy………” – Pamela Johnson
- “That being said, the overabundance makes the town look super trashy. When chambers of commerce try to get people to visit towns, ‘check out our abundance of vape shops’ doesn’t have a draw.” – William Cunard
- “We don’t need another one” – Robin Potter Otte
Some residents see another side. Sam Bloomfield pointed out, “Keeps the money people would otherwise spend in Omaha local. I for one love seeing small family businesses of all kinds.”
The shop owners themselves are jumping into the fray. Candy Mefferd, who runs one of the vape shops, “From Earth”, argues that they’re not just peddling smoke. “Our shops focus around Wellness of the body mind and soul,” she insists. “The products we carry and promote help with many of those issues [anxiety, depression, opiate addiction and mental health issues].”
It’s clear Blair is divided. On the plus side:
- It’s keeping money in Blair instead of Omaha
- Some say it helps with pain and sleep, especially for older folks
- It’s creating local jobs
- For some, it’s a way to quit smoking
But others aren’t convinced:
- They’re worried it makes Blair look bad
- There’s fear that it’ll attract kids to vaping
- Some think vaping is just as bad as smoking
- Five shops? Really? Isn’t that overkill?
We spoke with Captain Travis Lyon of the Blair Police Department to address some of the questions raised. He wrote, “I would say it’s been the same,” when asked about any increase in youth vaping or underage possession of vaping products since the new shops opened. Moreover, Lyon reported that there haven’t been any incidents or complaints related to these new vape shops, such as sales to minors or public nuisance issues. “None that have been reported,” he confirmed.
When it comes to regulations, the picture is less clear. “…we don’t deal with the business regulations for business,” Lyon explained, highlighting the separation between law enforcement and business licensing in Blair.
With respect to regulation, licensing, or code issues, Blair’s official stance on the vape shop boom appears to be hands-off. Jeff Beiermann, Blair’s Community Development Director, sheds light on the city’s approach. “There are no specific regulations for Vape shops from the City of Blair,” Beiermann stated. This lack of targeted regulation explains why the shops have been able to open without any special hurdles.
Contrary to the heated online discussions, Beiermann reports that his office hasn’t received any noteworthy feedback or concerns about the proliferation of these shops. This disconnect between social media comments and official complaints raises questions about how representative the online debate is of the broader community’s views.
When it comes to Blair’s overall economic development, Beiermann’s comments reveal a laissez-faire approach. “Blair does not specifically seek new vape shops,” he explained, “but the city welcomes new businesses and makes no distinction between what is good or not with respect to the type of business – as long as the city has no law against the business, the business is welcome to operate in Blair.”
This hands-off policy might surprise some residents who assumed the city had more control over the types of businesses setting up shop in Blair. It suggests that the recent influx of vape shops is more a result of market forces than any deliberate city planning.
This laissez-faire approach raises new questions: Should the city take a more active role in shaping Blair’s business landscape? Or is this hands-off policy the best way to encourage economic growth? As Blair continues to grapple with its vape shop boom, these questions may become central to the ongoing debate about the town’s future.
The whole thing has folks scratching their heads about how Blair operates. And it’s not just about vape shops anymore. Now people are debating what kind of town Blair should be. Jim Stier threw in his two cents: “Honestly… wish the pawn shop would come back! They serve a legit purpose!” Before you know it, people were dreaming up all sorts of businesses they’d rather see – shoe stores, tattoo parlors, you name it.
Meanwhile, the state’s Attorney General, Mike Hilgers, is suing vape shops left and right, saying they’re breaking consumer protection laws. And there are new rules coming down the pike that’ll ban online vape sales and crack down on packaging that might appeal to kids.
We spoke with owners and employees of the vape shops in Blair. The questions we asked were:
- Why do you think there are now five vape shops in Blair?
- And, do you think Blair can support five vape shops?
We did not ask about morality, legality, or the effect on kids. Those questions have been answered by the fact that the vape shops are open. They either know there are issues and don’t care, or don’t think there are issues in the first place. That’s not a quote from anyone who owns or works at a vape shop, but it is our belief at BlairToday.
Why then, are there so many of these vape shops in Blair? There are many factors we believe contribute to this unique situation:
- Legal environment: Nebraska’s laws allowing hemp-derived products may create a more permissive environment for vape shops compared to some other states.
- Market demand and Regional Draw: There might be higher local demand for these products in Blair or the surrounding area. We spoke with one employee at a shop in town who told us that “Since it’s illegal in Iowa,” many of their customers cross the Missouri Bridge to get what they want in Blair. Also, the same employee mentioned that another large segment of their customer base comes from Tekamah, Herman, Arlington, Kennard, and Fort Calhoun.
- Economic factors: Lower rent or operating costs in Blair might make it attractive for these businesses. The rent on Washington Street, for instance, is a fraction of what it would be in Omaha, with the upside of a client base from Iowa and the rest of Washington County with nowhere else to go locally.
- Lack of regulation: As mentioned by the Community Development Director, Blair doesn’t have specific regulations limiting these shops.
- Business opportunity perception: Early success of one or two shops might have encouraged others to open, leading to a rapid increase. This is absolutely confirmed by folks we spoke with. With only one exception (“From Earth”) the other four vape shops are here as “carpet baggers” taking advantage of a clear business opportunity. One employee added it was a “no brainer” and a “wide open” chance to make “easy money” since there are no taxes added by the state on what they sell, “yet.”
However, and maybe most importantly, is the shift in behavior. New Frontier Data reports that 69% of young adults replaced alcohol with cannabis-related products.
They conclude, “The numbers suggest that young people are learning to navigate the legal cannabis landscape without adopting compulsive, increased use, and may also be less likely to consume either alcohol or tobacco, thereby making cannabis their drug of choice. Considering that cannabis carries a lower risk of dependence than do either alcohol or tobacco – and presents no risk of either fatal overdose (e.g., alcohol) or long-term impacts to the lungs (e.g., tobacco) – it suggests that the younger generation may indeed be making more considered choices about their consumption patterns.”
So, if you live in Blair and wonder why there are five vape shops, it’s because of Blair’s location, low cost to operate, a more lax legal environment, a lack of zoning or regulatory issues, and because your kids want to get high, not drunk.
Until one of those core issues changes, Blair will support something north of zero vape shops. And, you can put all this in a big pipe, fire it up, and pass that dutchie because none of this is changing any time soon.
Jesus drank