Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
It was a damp November evening in the quintessentially Tacoma-esque neighborhood near Pac Ave. and 26th Ave, specifically, the lovely Tin Can Alley. An event where mum was the word, and an invitation was essential for your highly anticipated entry, our little city came together with just a select few of the movers and shakers over at the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the WSLCB, to discuss the ever present question, "If cannabis is legal in our state, what about consumption at private events?"
The answer may or may not shock you, but it was most certainly disappointing for those in attendance that were hoping to expand their customer service, or catering service. Simply put, cannabis consumption at events is illegal by our state's health code and state ordinances, even for those events dubbed "private" and exclusive to those over 21 years of age. Not to mention that it falls under federal guidelines as well.
This is a seriously concerning issue for more than a few rogue cannabis consumers interested in having a "green" party or other cannabis-centric get together. On a realistic scale, it affects the entire state's catering services, event coordinators, customer service businesses interested in giving the ever-interested clientele, and the clients themselves! If you were interested in attending the infamous Hempfest, or any number of "private-parties" where cannabis is being presented or offered, it is currently not allowed, technically. Maybe you were interested in having a safer alternative at your wedding to the stereotypical alcohol-bar for your guests to consume wisely? Nope. Not happening here, folks.
Simply stating that this issue will take some serious pushing from those among us that are concerned, or interested in changing these public consumption laws to allow some alternatives. would be an understatement. WSLCB enforcement agent, referred to here as "T," was quite blunt with his responses, which was honestly a breath of fresh air.
"Due to the legislative process, it appears we may be as long as four years out, or more, from developing public/private event consumption guidelines of any sort," T stated as he sat on a panel of eight other professionals. This panel consisted of two WSLCB enforcement agents, and one administrative representative from the WSLCB, the Pierce County Health Department, a prolific event organizer and designer, an avid cannabis-advocate/cannabis business owner, a business attorney and an insurance representative. Quite the plethora of opinions and credible input, one might say? I was inclined to believe so, but it seemed that the ominous four-year time frame that the WSLCB mentioned seemed to rile up the room in such a manner that only they can accomplish so eloquently. For obvious reasons, facing that amount of time without being able to assist or navigate a growing demand is unrealistic for some people, and was met with positive, yet inquisitive questioning like one from a gentleman we will call Dee. "Is adult use of cannabis allowed at a closed or private event?" WSLCB Agent T promptly pushed, "Absolutely not." He also mentioned that in some scenarios, unlikely as they may be, those actions may carry felony charges for the event organizer or anyone involved. Essentially, the fact that a business with any type of transactional procedures or functions is, by WSLCB standards, "public" and this makes it illegal to produce or participate in consumption activities no matter how private you have made it.
If I can implore you to simply do one thing, take away from this brief discussion the fact that recreational cannabis became legal in 2012 here in our state, but left adults little more than their bedrooms to safely consume within. Let's change that. This next legislative session is when we as a state can uphold our reputation as a leader in the legal cannabis industry and show the other states nationally how to roll out legislation in regard to permitting adults the ability to publicly roll up.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cannabis At Events Leads To "Higher Learning" From WSLCB
Author: Rachelle Erickson
Contact: (253)922-5317
Photo Credit: Rachelle Erikson
Website: Tacoma Weekly
The answer may or may not shock you, but it was most certainly disappointing for those in attendance that were hoping to expand their customer service, or catering service. Simply put, cannabis consumption at events is illegal by our state's health code and state ordinances, even for those events dubbed "private" and exclusive to those over 21 years of age. Not to mention that it falls under federal guidelines as well.
This is a seriously concerning issue for more than a few rogue cannabis consumers interested in having a "green" party or other cannabis-centric get together. On a realistic scale, it affects the entire state's catering services, event coordinators, customer service businesses interested in giving the ever-interested clientele, and the clients themselves! If you were interested in attending the infamous Hempfest, or any number of "private-parties" where cannabis is being presented or offered, it is currently not allowed, technically. Maybe you were interested in having a safer alternative at your wedding to the stereotypical alcohol-bar for your guests to consume wisely? Nope. Not happening here, folks.
Simply stating that this issue will take some serious pushing from those among us that are concerned, or interested in changing these public consumption laws to allow some alternatives. would be an understatement. WSLCB enforcement agent, referred to here as "T," was quite blunt with his responses, which was honestly a breath of fresh air.
"Due to the legislative process, it appears we may be as long as four years out, or more, from developing public/private event consumption guidelines of any sort," T stated as he sat on a panel of eight other professionals. This panel consisted of two WSLCB enforcement agents, and one administrative representative from the WSLCB, the Pierce County Health Department, a prolific event organizer and designer, an avid cannabis-advocate/cannabis business owner, a business attorney and an insurance representative. Quite the plethora of opinions and credible input, one might say? I was inclined to believe so, but it seemed that the ominous four-year time frame that the WSLCB mentioned seemed to rile up the room in such a manner that only they can accomplish so eloquently. For obvious reasons, facing that amount of time without being able to assist or navigate a growing demand is unrealistic for some people, and was met with positive, yet inquisitive questioning like one from a gentleman we will call Dee. "Is adult use of cannabis allowed at a closed or private event?" WSLCB Agent T promptly pushed, "Absolutely not." He also mentioned that in some scenarios, unlikely as they may be, those actions may carry felony charges for the event organizer or anyone involved. Essentially, the fact that a business with any type of transactional procedures or functions is, by WSLCB standards, "public" and this makes it illegal to produce or participate in consumption activities no matter how private you have made it.
If I can implore you to simply do one thing, take away from this brief discussion the fact that recreational cannabis became legal in 2012 here in our state, but left adults little more than their bedrooms to safely consume within. Let's change that. This next legislative session is when we as a state can uphold our reputation as a leader in the legal cannabis industry and show the other states nationally how to roll out legislation in regard to permitting adults the ability to publicly roll up.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Cannabis At Events Leads To "Higher Learning" From WSLCB
Author: Rachelle Erickson
Contact: (253)922-5317
Photo Credit: Rachelle Erikson
Website: Tacoma Weekly
