WA: King County Council Votes 5-3 On Marijuana Regulations

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
On Monday, the King County Council voted to 5-3 to approve legislation refining existing county land-use regulations concerning the growth, processing and retail sale of marijuana.

The ordinance was passed by the council, 5-3, receiving support from council members Reagan Dunn, Kathy Lambert, Pete von Reichbauer, Claudia Balducci and Dave Upthegrove. Those voting in opposition were council members Joe McDermott, Rod Dembowski and Larry Gossett. County council member Jeanne Kohl-Welles was excused.

The vote caused much concern among Redmond Ridge residents as there was an amendment that could potentially bring marijuana growing and processing plants to urban reserves.

Lambert - who represents District 3, which includes Redmond Ridge - said for now, nothing will be done in urban reserves such as Redmond Ridge as the county will conduct a study to see whether it would be appropriate to put such facilities in the community. The results from the study are scheduled to be released April 28, 2017.

According to a county press release, the ordinance also included measures to remove all parcels less than 10 acres and designated as rural area (RA) zones from any type of marijuana-related use. The ordinance also included measures to approve studies on potential retail and processing in specific locations and require the county executive to identify 10 locations suitable for retail in neighborhood business (NB) zoned areas across unincorporated King County.

The release continues, stating that the county is presently under a four-month moratorium on the acceptance of applications for or the establishment of location of marijuana producers, processors and retailers in unincorporated areas.

The approved ordinance will end the moratorium and goes into effect 10 days after receiving signature from Executive Dow Constantine.

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News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: King County Council Votes 5-3 On Marijuana Regulations
Author: Samantha Pak
Contact: (425) 867-0353
Photo Credit: iStock
Website: Redmond Reporter
 
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