Marijuana is legal in Washington State.
The state has adopted rules for a marijuana industry, but we’re still deciding where people may be allowed to conduct the business of marijuana legally — and safely.
In order to give our community more time to discuss where adults could grow, process and sell marijuana in Issaquah, our City Council extended a moratorium on establishing recreational marijuana retail stores.
The moratorium is now in effect until July 7, 2014.
Before we finalize rules for future growers, processors and sellers, there’s an extensive public process. Here’s how you can get involved:
• Talk to us on social media. Use #jointeffort14 to join the conversation.
• Attend a public meeting and share your input with councilmembers.
Issaquah is allowed up to one recreational marijuana store under the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s rules. The state received 19 applications to establish a retail marijuana operation in Issaquah.
The state also received applications from two marijuana producers / processors to operate in Issaquah. The state does not intend to limit the amount of producer or processor licenses it will issue.
State law already places some restrictions on where marijuana facilities could be located in Issaquah.
That means at least 1,000 feet away from schools, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care center, public parks, public transit centers, libraries or game arcades that are open to minors. Issaquah is considering further restrictions, such as not allowing these facilities in residential areas. Here’s a map of the proposed zoning.
These new laws will be separate from Issaquah’s current medical marijuana regulations, which were approved in 2011.
For more information about local efforts, visit issaquahwa.gov/marijuana or contact Associate Planner Jason Rogers.
For more information on the state laws, visit the state Liquor Control Board online.