Marijuana

Marijuana remains a heady issue confronting the state Legislature this session. Meanwhile cities and counties struggle with efforts to regulate retail and medical marijuana outlets, many allowing those outlets to open in carefully zoned areas, others banning their operations outright, some with no regulations in place, and others declaring moratoriums, essentially banning their operations until the regulatory authority makes up its collective mind about allowing a business to operate that is legally outlawed by federal rules, but allowed within the state as a result of an initiative passed by voters two years ago.

Here's a story focused first on a Pierce County shop with a state license that is operating in unincorporated Parkland without county approval. A legal battle looms. Here's the story by Cooper Inveen, along with links to MRSC files for background and-or readers. MRSC has a map embedded in the link showing cities with marijuana rules in place, or under consideration. Additionally, we are sending in subsequent emails 11 photos for your consideration that illustrate the focus-element of the story. Two primary Senate bills remain alive that deal with marijuana regulation and tax-sharing. They reside in Ways and Means Committee and could emerge anytime for full Senate consideration if the committee approves.

We also urge you to localize this story with updates reflecting your city and county status.

This summary "wrap" probably is our last story on the issue since the ONB closes next Friday, March 13. We've had Winter Quarter with these University of Washington Journalism students-turned-professionals for our WNPA members. We urge your continuing connection to the Legislature through its website and your local politicians. We have other stories developing for the coming week related to state parks, DNR and education, plus updates on bills and issues we've covered earlier this session.