Board to increase number of retail marijuana stores in Washington

Allocation of licenses doubled in King County, Mercer Island.

To ensure access by medical patients, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) heard a recommendation from staff on Dec. 16 to increase the number of retail marijuana stores from the current cap of 334 to a new cap of 556.

The methodology for the cap will be part of emergency rules which will be announced Jan. 6. The allocation of retail licenses determined by the board will be published on the WSLCB website at lcb.wa.gov.

“Our goal was clear; to ensure medical patients have access to the products they need,” said WSLCB Director Rick Garza. “There will be more storefronts for patients going forward than are available today. In addition, qualified patients can grow their own or join a four-member cooperative.”

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There are bans on the sale of marijuana in Kent, Sammamish and SeaTac, and a moratorium in Federal Way. One license was initially allocated to Mercer Island based on population, with a proposed additional allotment of one license.

City officials have said that there is no viable location for a retail marijuana store on the Island due to a rule that stores must be 1,000 feet away from places where children congregate, such as parks, playgrounds, schools, daycares, community centers or libraries.

The WSLCB rejected a pending license application in May, according to a city press release. The applicant (Tom’s Stuff) had applied to open a retail store at a location that the city said was within 1,000 feet of Aubrey Davis Park. Four other retailers with a Mercer Island address also applied, but were disqualified because they didn’t meet certain criteria.

Earlier this year the legislature enacted, and Gov. Jay Inslee signed, legislation (SSB 5052) entitled the Cannabis Patient Protection Act. The new law charges the WSLCB, the state Department of Health and other agencies with drafting regulations that integrate the medical marijuana marketplace into the tightly controlled recreational marketplace.

The WSLCB is charged with licensing retail applicants using a priority-based system:

–First priority applicants are those who applied for a marijuana retail license prior to July 1, 2014, operated (or were employed by) a collective garden prior to Jan. 1, 2013, have maintained a state and local business license and have a history of paying state taxes and fees.

–Second priority applicants are those who operated (or were employed by) a collective garden prior to Jan. 1, 2013, have maintained a state and local business license, and have a history of paying state taxes and fees.

–Third priority applicants are those who don’t meet the first or second criteria.

The WSLCB began accepting license applications on Oct. 12, 2015. So far, the WSLCB has received 1,194 retail applications. Of those who have applied, 39 have been determined as priority one and 42 have been determined as priority two.

Applicants must still meet all other WSLCB licensing criteria before being licensed.