Regulations considered for Seattle's medical marijuana dispensaries

mcwow

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SEATTLE -- Medical marijuana could be moving mainstream in Seattle.
Although illegal under federal law, Seattle's mayor is determined to bring thoughtful regulation to the marijuana industry.
"So we're going to do our best to keep people safe in Seattle and allow for the appropriate use of marijuana," said Mayor Mike McGinn.
After Governor Gregoire vetoed legalizing medical marijuana, many cities took the opposite approach to Seattle and cracked down. Now as Seattle develops its regulations, it's moving ahead, alone.
Wednesday, the Seattle City Council will look at licensing, zoning, fire safety and other rules to regulate dispensaries.
"I think our job is to make sure there's an orderly process and appropriate regulations," said City Councilmember Tim Burgess.
King County Executive Dow Constantine said he may follow in Seattle's footsteps. He's already told the sheriff and prosecutor to not go after small marijuana operations. But, he too wants to make sure the industry is safe for the public.
Dockside Co-Op in Fremont opened in March. They wont tell us how many patients they serve or how much marijuana they've distributed.
Another pot shop down the block was robbed. Next door to Dockside is the Wright Brothers Bike Shop. Their owner, Charles Hadrann, supports medical marijuana, but he's concerned about possible crime next door.
"The only concern we have is about burglary, breaking and entering. But all types of businesses face that risk," said Hadrann.
The city is considering specific land use zones, like pot pea patches for co-op growers. The concern is intervention by federal authorities and the potential for crime.
 
It's too bad the city of Kent cannot be more forward-leaning, instead ordering all four of their dispensaries to close.
 
If you follow the elections in Washington State you will see that pretty much all of the state policy is centered around Seattle, not Olympia. Tax packages are passed statewide that only benefit Seattle itself, for instance. People are paying for bridge work in Seattle that live in Spokane through special gas tax increases. If a Governor wants any chance of success in the state of Washington they have to have to hearts of Seattle on their agenda, period. So if Seattle pulls this off the rest of the state should follow.
 
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