Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Monroe – A marijuana retailer wants to come into a city that already has an established ban on pot shops.
It may seem like a strange business plan, but a would-be retailer angling for the state license to operate in Monroe says it's not
futile even though he can't open shop right now.
Sean Miller is one of the ones playing the waiting game. He's the president of Origins, an outfit established in Seattle.
A few weeks ago his company applied to be Monroe's sole marijuana retailer. The city established a wide-sweeping ban in 2015 and last week the City Council quickly re-affirmed its opposition by resolution against this licensee coming in.
"It's absolutely no surprise" the city is opposing Origins being able to open, Miller said.
His eye is on securing the sole state license for Monroe for when, or if, Monroe loosens its rules.
The state Liquor and Cannabis Board will usually grant a license, but cannot override local zoning codes, said Liquor and Cannabis Board spokesman Brian Smith.
Miller said that everywhere else is filled up. "It's this or nothing," he said.
That's not exactly the case, although the major cities are all taken up, the liquor board's Smith said. There's the ability to open shop practically right now in lesser-populated counties including Stevens, Skamania and Okanogan counties.
The strategy might be why in Snohomish, a retailer sought a license in the building at Second Street and Avenue D that includes
the 76 gas station. The state approved the license Dec. 8, but the retailer cannot open.
The listed contact for the Snohomish licensee did not return a followup phone call from the Tribune.
Snohomish will be putting its citywide marijuana ban to a public advisory vote in this November's election.
The state has set limits for the number of store licenses, and Snohomish County's available spots are all filled up with applicants.
Miller's Monroe address for the license is in the 17000 block of W. Main Street, which is in the same complex as Everything RV and Abra Autobody. Miller said it
might not be where the storefront ends up if the city opens up to marijuana, but
it is where his license is registered for the state's purposes.
Even if the city loosens up on letting shops in, for that location to work, Monroe would also have to pull back a city-specific restriction against a marijuana retailer being within 1,000 feet of a church. A church is next to this particular site.
People are bringing home marijuana they bought in other cities, Miller said, "so why not get the tax benefits"locally?
His company started as a medical marijuana dispensary, and was able to transition into a state-licensed retailer before changes in the state rulebook shut down most unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries last summer.The Origins shop in Seattle now sells both recreational and medical marijuana.
One of those dispensaries the rule changes shut down was Have A Heart on U.S. 2 near the intersection of Roosevelt Road.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Retailers Looking At Monroe, Snohomish
Author: Michael Whitney
Contact: 360-568-4121
Photo Credit: Mario Anzuoni
Website: Tribune
It may seem like a strange business plan, but a would-be retailer angling for the state license to operate in Monroe says it's not
futile even though he can't open shop right now.
Sean Miller is one of the ones playing the waiting game. He's the president of Origins, an outfit established in Seattle.
A few weeks ago his company applied to be Monroe's sole marijuana retailer. The city established a wide-sweeping ban in 2015 and last week the City Council quickly re-affirmed its opposition by resolution against this licensee coming in.
"It's absolutely no surprise" the city is opposing Origins being able to open, Miller said.
His eye is on securing the sole state license for Monroe for when, or if, Monroe loosens its rules.
The state Liquor and Cannabis Board will usually grant a license, but cannot override local zoning codes, said Liquor and Cannabis Board spokesman Brian Smith.
Miller said that everywhere else is filled up. "It's this or nothing," he said.
That's not exactly the case, although the major cities are all taken up, the liquor board's Smith said. There's the ability to open shop practically right now in lesser-populated counties including Stevens, Skamania and Okanogan counties.
The strategy might be why in Snohomish, a retailer sought a license in the building at Second Street and Avenue D that includes
the 76 gas station. The state approved the license Dec. 8, but the retailer cannot open.
The listed contact for the Snohomish licensee did not return a followup phone call from the Tribune.
Snohomish will be putting its citywide marijuana ban to a public advisory vote in this November's election.
The state has set limits for the number of store licenses, and Snohomish County's available spots are all filled up with applicants.
Miller's Monroe address for the license is in the 17000 block of W. Main Street, which is in the same complex as Everything RV and Abra Autobody. Miller said it
might not be where the storefront ends up if the city opens up to marijuana, but
it is where his license is registered for the state's purposes.
Even if the city loosens up on letting shops in, for that location to work, Monroe would also have to pull back a city-specific restriction against a marijuana retailer being within 1,000 feet of a church. A church is next to this particular site.
People are bringing home marijuana they bought in other cities, Miller said, "so why not get the tax benefits"locally?
His company started as a medical marijuana dispensary, and was able to transition into a state-licensed retailer before changes in the state rulebook shut down most unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries last summer.The Origins shop in Seattle now sells both recreational and medical marijuana.
One of those dispensaries the rule changes shut down was Have A Heart on U.S. 2 near the intersection of Roosevelt Road.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Retailers Looking At Monroe, Snohomish
Author: Michael Whitney
Contact: 360-568-4121
Photo Credit: Mario Anzuoni
Website: Tribune
