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Don't plant those pot seeds just yet.
As officials at the Washington State Liquor Control Board hammer out rules for growing, processing and retailing marijuana, local officials also are beginning to consider their options.
On Tuesday, the Edmonds City Council decided its subcommittees should begin investigating options while awaiting decisions at the state level.
On top of the list is the possibility of a six-month moratorium on pot-related activities, to give city officials time to study land use impacts "associated with the location and siting of structures and uses in which collective gardens, marijuana production, marijuana processing or marijuana retailing may take place."
While staff told the council it has time to consider alternatives, they also urged it to be prepared to act after state officials have made their decisions.
"Silence is not appropriate," said Acting Development Services Director Rob Chave. "Don't do nothing."
City Attorney Jeff Taraday said working on the issue now would be a smart move.
Citing voter approval of I-502 in 2012, which made recreational use of marijuana legal in Washington state, Taraday said, "This is a timely discussion because in the next six months there will be a lot of activity on I-502."
The state Liquor Control Board was slated to announce on Wednesday (after deadline) how many retail locations will be permitted in each of Washington's 39 counties.
He said the Liquor Control Board estimates it will be springtime before it begins issuing licenses for growing, processing and selling pot. If the city were to impose a six-month moratorium now, it would expire just before then.
"Hopefully, the city will have a clear direction on what it wants to do by then," Taraday said.
"If you take no action, you're leaving unanswered some pretty important questions about what the city's policy should be. I'd prefer clear direction."
He noted that the City of Kent already decided it wouldn't allow any recreational marijuana businesses to open in that town. And, Taraday said, he thinks cities have the authority to do that.
"If a council majority is weighing a ban, there's no harm in letting two, three or four months go by and see what happens in the Kent case, see if the courts uphold the city's ability to ban," he said.
Even should Edmonds officials decide to permit pot-relate businesses, they could be strict in the same vein as adult entertainment limitations, Chave said.
"By the time you apply them, there are very few places where it would be permitted," he said.
By sending the issue to committees, councilmembers signaled they weren't ready for a complete ban, but wanted to study it further.
Taraday noted that the city would reap sales tax proceeds should marijuana sales be permitted.
"In a nutshell, there are going to be licensed businesses," he said. "The question is whether you want them in Edmonds and, if so, where?"
Councilmember Strom Peterson said, "Washington is on the leading edge. Edmonds should have as much information as possible."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: edmondsbeacon.villagesoup.com
Author: Paul Archipley
Contact: Contact Edmonds Beacon Staff - Edmonds, WA - EdmondsBeacon.com
Website: Council to give thought to pot stop - By Paul Archipley - Edmonds, WA - EdmondsBeacon.com
As officials at the Washington State Liquor Control Board hammer out rules for growing, processing and retailing marijuana, local officials also are beginning to consider their options.
On Tuesday, the Edmonds City Council decided its subcommittees should begin investigating options while awaiting decisions at the state level.
On top of the list is the possibility of a six-month moratorium on pot-related activities, to give city officials time to study land use impacts "associated with the location and siting of structures and uses in which collective gardens, marijuana production, marijuana processing or marijuana retailing may take place."
While staff told the council it has time to consider alternatives, they also urged it to be prepared to act after state officials have made their decisions.
"Silence is not appropriate," said Acting Development Services Director Rob Chave. "Don't do nothing."
City Attorney Jeff Taraday said working on the issue now would be a smart move.
Citing voter approval of I-502 in 2012, which made recreational use of marijuana legal in Washington state, Taraday said, "This is a timely discussion because in the next six months there will be a lot of activity on I-502."
The state Liquor Control Board was slated to announce on Wednesday (after deadline) how many retail locations will be permitted in each of Washington's 39 counties.
He said the Liquor Control Board estimates it will be springtime before it begins issuing licenses for growing, processing and selling pot. If the city were to impose a six-month moratorium now, it would expire just before then.
"Hopefully, the city will have a clear direction on what it wants to do by then," Taraday said.
"If you take no action, you're leaving unanswered some pretty important questions about what the city's policy should be. I'd prefer clear direction."
He noted that the City of Kent already decided it wouldn't allow any recreational marijuana businesses to open in that town. And, Taraday said, he thinks cities have the authority to do that.
"If a council majority is weighing a ban, there's no harm in letting two, three or four months go by and see what happens in the Kent case, see if the courts uphold the city's ability to ban," he said.
Even should Edmonds officials decide to permit pot-relate businesses, they could be strict in the same vein as adult entertainment limitations, Chave said.
"By the time you apply them, there are very few places where it would be permitted," he said.
By sending the issue to committees, councilmembers signaled they weren't ready for a complete ban, but wanted to study it further.
Taraday noted that the city would reap sales tax proceeds should marijuana sales be permitted.
"In a nutshell, there are going to be licensed businesses," he said. "The question is whether you want them in Edmonds and, if so, where?"
Councilmember Strom Peterson said, "Washington is on the leading edge. Edmonds should have as much information as possible."
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: edmondsbeacon.villagesoup.com
Author: Paul Archipley
Contact: Contact Edmonds Beacon Staff - Edmonds, WA - EdmondsBeacon.com
Website: Council to give thought to pot stop - By Paul Archipley - Edmonds, WA - EdmondsBeacon.com
