Revising I-502 to better define THC levels in marijuana products

Brownies that were confiscated by
Seattle Police earlier this month.
Brownies and other marijuana
products allegedly were sold
to Seattle middle and high school
students from a private home.

Earlier this week, the Washington Legislature delivered to Governor Inslee a bill that would change the definition of THC concentration as it was outlined in I-502.  The definition included in the initiative made it difficult for prosecutors to make marijuana-related charges stick.

Such was the concern of the King County Prosecuting Attorney when looking to prove in court that a Seattle man was selling marijuana brownies to children.

The House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee held a public hearing about the issue on April 25.



If you have trouble viewing the video, click here.

Liquor Control Board releases updated timeline for implementing I-502

Last week, the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) adopted its official timeline for implementing I-502. This replaces the tentative timeline that has been posted on their website since December.


Here is the new information released by the WSLCB:

This official timeline is based on input from the public forums, our research, and all that we’ve learned in the months since the November election. The WSLCB is on track to meet the December 1 deadline required by I-502.

Key Elements of the Official Timeline
• The WSLCB will begin vetting draft rules with stakeholders in mid-May. This means that we will send draft rules via the Listserv to get your input before formally filing draft rules in mid-June. After you officially file draft rules – it’s called a CR 102 – any significant changes require the agency to start the process over. By vetting the rules with stakeholders before filing the CR 102 the process will be more efficient.

• The draft rules will be for all license types rather than one at a time. This means that any potential licensee will have a view of the entire recreational marijuana business landscape before deciding whether to apply for a license.

• Under this timeline, the rules will be effective in August, the WSLCB will accept applications for all license types in September and issue licenses as early as December 1, 2013.

Official Timeline Adopted April 17, 2013
The below timeline is the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s (WSLCB) official timeline for implementation of Initiative 502. The Board and staff are working from this timeline going forward. By law, the WSLCB must have the rules written by December 1, 2013. The agency is on track to meet this deadline.

If and/or when timeframes change we will communicate those changes via the WSLCB Listserv and our agency Twitter.

Milestones
Mid May: Send draft rules to stakeholders for comment

Mid June: CR102 (draft rules) filed for the Producer, Processor and Retailer Licenses. The CR102 allows the WSLCB to seek public comment on draft rule language developed with input from the public during the initial comment period.

Small Business Economic Impact Statement issued with CR 102.

Late July: Public hearing/s on rules for the Producer, Processor and Retailer Licenses allowing the public to comment on the draft rule language.

Rules adopted.

Late August: Rules become effective.

September: WSLCB begin accepting Producer, Processor and Retail License applications.

December 1: Rules are complete (as mandated by law). WSLCB begins issuing Producer, Processor and Retail licenses to qualified applicants.

For more information on the implementation of I502 and to join our listserv to receive email updates, please visit www.liq.wa.gov.

WA House budget amended to include Community Mobilization

During last night's Washington State House Appropriations Committee meeting, the proposed state budget was amended to include funding for the statewide Community Moblization Program thanks to Representative Laurie Jinkins.  Rep. Jinkins was the only person to speak in favor of the amendment and nobody spoke in opposition. 



The meeting may also be viewed by clicking here. 

Liquor Control Board seeks public comments about pot bars

From the Washington State Liquor Control Board:

Board Opens Rulemaking to Address Consumption of Marijuana at Liquor Licensed Locations

Recent media reports show at least two licensees allowing consumption on the premises

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) today opened rulemaking to address consumption of marijuana in liquor licensed establishments.
Section 21 of Initiative 502 states: It is unlawful to open a package containing marijuana, useable marijuana, or a marijuana-infused product, or consume marijuana, useable marijuana, or a marijuana-infused product, in view of the general public. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 3 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW.

A class 3 civil infraction equates to a $103 fine that would be imposed on the customer. However, the law does not address enforcement penalties for the licensee for allowing a prohibited practice, such as they do under state liquor laws.

Recent media reports showed at least two establishments that appear to be in violation of the new law. These licensed locations are allowing patrons to either smoke, vaporize or otherwise ingest marijuana on the premises.

“It is important that the Board clarify now that consuming marijuana in a state liquor-licensed establishment is not acceptable,” said Board Chair Sharon Foster. “Public consumption of marijuana is clearly illegal under Washington’s new law.”

In addition to the prohibition on public consumption, the Board is concerned there may be public safety considerations for mixing alcohol and marijuana in liquor licensed locations such as over service and increased impaired driving.

Filing a CR 101, which formally opens the rule-making process, the Board will begin taking public input on the topic of consumption of marijuana at licensed locations. Details for providing public comment are on the Laws and Rules section of the WSLCB website at http://www.liq.wa.gov/laws/laws-and-rules. 

Proposed Timeline

April 3, 2013   Board files a CR 101 and begins taking public comment

May 22, 2013  WSLCB files draft rules

June 26, 2013  Public hearing on draft rules

July 3, 2013  Board accepts or rejects draft rules

August 3, 2013  Rules become effective