Washington Prepares For Marijuana Retail Sales

[The General]

As Washington state prepares to issue the first licenses for marijuana retail stores, Gov. Jay Inslee and other state leaders on Tuesday announced steps the state is taking to keep pot out of the hands of minors, including making sure that marijuana-related labels aren't attractive to kids."Those who have led the effort to legalize this product understand that we've got to make sure that parents' roles are respected and emphasized and that the health of our children is of our paramount concern," Inslee said. Different state agencies are working together "to make sure the public has the information they need to make healthy decisions, and the tools that they need to keep our kids safe," he said.

The Liquor Control Board will issue about 20 retail licenses on July 7, and the stores that are ready can open the next day. More stores will get licensed in the following days. During Tuesday's news conference, officials with the state Liquor Control Board, which has been overseeing the implementation of the state's recreational marijuana law, said that they are poised to adopt emergency rules Wednesday to do three things: require all marijuana-infused products to be labeled clearly as containing marijuana; require all products to be scored in such a way that a serving size is easily identified by the consumer; and requiring marijuana-infused products to be approved by the board before sale.

Previously adopted rules already require marijuana-infused products to be stored behind a counter or other barrier, and to be child-resistant. Officials stressed that no product will approved if it has a label that is appealing to kids. "We're just not going to let toys or cartoon figures be used on our labels," said Sharon Foster, chairwoman of the state liquor control board.

Foster noted that officials are also worried about adult consumers who may not realize the impact of varying products. "The marijuana today is not the marijuana of the 60s," she said. The state also launched a $400,000 statewide radio and online campaign by the Department of Health this week that urges parents to talk with their children about the health risks of using marijuana. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission also launched a "Drive High, Get a DUI" campaign. "We are not going to allow this effort of legalization to increase the risks of our family members on the roadways," Inslee said. At the end of 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize possession of recreational marijuana by adults 21 and older. The voters also called for the establishment of systems of state-licensed pot growers, processors and retail stores. Sales have already begun in Colorado.

News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Yelmonline.com
Author: Associated Press
Contact: Yelm - Contact us - Nisqually Valley News
Website: Washington Prepares for Marijuana Retail Sales - Nisqually Valley News: Local News

 

[ryno]

As extatic as I am about what we as voters did in this state, I'm equally as disappointed in the State's ability to implement and rollout the law. It hasn't been very well thought out and the continual delays and changes don't make us look very good. Rather inept, actually. This decision to hold a lottery for retialers is absolutely ludacris! The decision to issue 20 of them the day prior retail sales starting is even worse. How on earth can an entrepeneur properly get a business started without actually knowing if they are going to be granted a license until the day before sales open? The most positive word I can think of to describe it is "totally botched".

 

[420 Motoco]

I agree 420%! And changing the rules as they went along. How do these 'block-heads' come up with some of these policy's? Reading this article I felt like I was watching 'sponge-head Bob'. Can the liquor board title and start a new department 'Cannabis State Board'. Liquor should never, ever, be confused with MMJ. Nice post and welcome to 420 Magazine.

As extatic as I am about what we as voters did in this state, I'm equally as disappointed in the State's ability to implement and rollout the law. It hasn't been very well thought out and the continual delays and changes don't make us look very good. Rather inept, actually. This decision to hold a lottery for retialers is absolutely ludacris! The decision to issue 20 of them the day prior retail sales starting is even worse. How on earth can an entrepeneur properly get a business started without actually knowing if they are going to be granted a license until the day before sales open? The most positive word I can think of to describe it is "totally botched".