The Bainbridge Island City Council will get into the nitty gritty of the new Washington marijuana law at this week’s council meeting.
Planning Director Kathy Cook will be at Wednesday’s council meeting to discuss how the city can implement policies for legal marijuana use.
In November 2012, Washington voters passed I-502, the marijuana legalization initiative, which allows state government to regulate and tax adult recreational marijuana use.
To enforce the new regulations, the state has divided the budding industry into three parts: marijuana producers (growing the plant); processors (incorporating the plant into edibles, liquids or packaged bud for retail); and retailers (the actual shops where marijuana can be purchased).
The state has been working hard to get things rolling on the initiative.
The state Liquor Control Board developed the basic regulations for the law’s implementation this summer. The schedule for implementing policy requires the rules to be adopted by cities on Sept. 4.
One key aspect of the regulations the Bainbridge council will be looking at is possible marijuana business locations.
According to the land-use provision included in the initiative, the state Liquor Control Board cannot issue a marijuana business license for any operations within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools, playgrounds, recreation centers or facilities, child care centers, public parks, public transit centers, libraries or game arcade locations.
Following the adoption of the rules this September, business license applications will be accepted for a 30-day period, from Nov. 18 to Dec. 18.
At Wednesday’s meeting, city staff will provide a map that displays the red-zones of the island where licensing will be restricted.
The discussion will also cover the rules that have been established by the Liquor Control Board.
Attorney Angela Belbeck will be on hand to answer legal questions.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Discussion on the legalization of marijuana is scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m.
