State liquor board would allow 3 Kent marijuana retail stores

The city of Kent would be allowed as many as three recreational marijuana retail stores under the filing of proposed supplemental rules approved Wednesday by the the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

The city of Kent, however, bans recreational marijuana stores as well as production or processing facilities. So if someone came to the city for a permit to operate a marijuana retail shop, the city would deny the permit.

Liquor board members identified the number and allocation of retail stores. Per Initiative 502, the WSLCB applied a method that allocates retail store locations using Office of Financial Management (OFM) population with a cap on the number of retail stores per county, according to a liquor board media release.

Using OFM population data as well as adult consumption data supplied by the state’s marijuana consultant – BOTEC Analysis Corporation — the board allocated a maximum of 334 outlets statewide. The most populous cities within the county are allocated a proportionate number of stores and at-large stores available to serve other areas of the county.

The board also approved the filing of proposed supplemental rules that, if ultimately enacted, will help govern Washington State’s system of producing, processing and retailing recreational marijuana. The board earlier this summer filed proposed rules. It chose to revise and re-file its rules after receiving public input at five public hearings across Washington.

“These rules fulfill the public expectation of creating a tightly regulated and controlled system while providing reasonable access to participation in the market, said Board Chair Sharon Foster. “Importantly, we believe these rules meet the eight federal government enforcement priorities within Thursday’s guidance memo from the Department of Justice.”

Key Public Safety Elements

Public safety is the top priority of the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

·        All grows must meet strictly controlled on-site security requirements;

·        Strict surveillance and transportation requirements;

·        Robust traceability software system that will track inventory from start to sale;

·        Criminal background checks on all license applicants;

·        Tough penalty guidelines for public safety violations including loss of license;

·        Restricting certain advertising that may be targeted at children.

Key Consumer Safety Elements

The proposed rules provide a heightened level of consumer safety that has not existed previously.

·        Packaging and label requirements including dosage and warnings;

·        Child-resistant packaging for marijuana in solid and liquid forms;

·        Only lab tested and approved products will be available;

·        Defined serving sizes and package limits on marijuana in solid form;

·        Store signage requirements to educate customers.

Timeline

Oct. 9   Public hearing(s) on proposed rules (time and location TBD)

Oct. 16  Board adopts or rejects proposed rules (CR 103)

Nov. 16  Rules become effective

Nov. 18  Begin accepting applications for all three licenses (30-day window)

Dec. 1   Deadline for rules to be complete (as mandated by law)

Dec. 18  30-day window closes for producer, processor and retailer license applications