New rules for marijuana industry effective today

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) adopted emergency rules and issued new draft rules on Wednesday to begin the process of aligning the medical marijuana market with the existing recreational market.

The board’s actions are the result of 2015 legislation, the Cannabis Patient Protection Act, which established a priority system for licensing existing medical marijuana outlets.

The emergency rules, which are effective immediately, allow the WSLCB to begin the process of licensing new retail outlets that may sell both medical and recreational marijuana. Existing recreational stores may also apply for an endorsement to sell both.

“If phase one was implementation of the recreational marijuana marketplace then today marks the beginning of phase two – the public process of aligning the medical marijuana system with the existing recreational system,” said Board Chair Jane Rushford.

Beginning October 12, 2015, the WSLCB will begin accepting retail license applications. There will not be an initial cap on the number of retail licenses approved by the board. Medical marijuana outlets must be licensed by July 1, 2016 or face closure by local authorities. Non-retail cooperatives may register with the WSLCB after July 1, 2016.

Public hearing

The public is invited to comment in person on the draft rules during a public hearing in Vancouver on Monday, November 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clark College/Gaiser Student Center.

Production restrictions lifted

In a separate action, the WSLCB is in the process of notifying existing marijuana production facilities that the restriction of their license to grow at 70 percent of capacity has been lifted. Growers had been restricted to prevent over-production and diversion of product out of state.

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