Politics & Government

Pot Plan Approved: Outdoor Grows Allowed, Sales Restricted to Lab-Tested Products

A final set of public hearings on the implementation of I-502 will be held in early August throughout the Puget Sound area.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) took a major step toward the implementation of legal marijuana on Wednesday by approvingΒ 42 pages of rules.

What do you think of the approved rules? Are they strict enough?Β Tell us in the comments section.

One of the key changes in the latest plan is a section that allows outdoor marijuana grows, provided they are enclosed with a physical barrier that also obstructs public view and meet certain security requirements.

WSLCB provided the followingΒ highlights from the updated documents:

  • All grows must meet strictly controlledΒ on-site securityΒ requirements;
  • StrictΒ surveillance and transportationΒ requirements;
  • RobustΒ traceabilityΒ software system that will track inventory from start to sale;
  • CriminalΒ background checksΒ on all license applicants;
  • Tough penalty guidelinesΒ for public safety violations including loss of license;
  • Restricting certainΒ advertisingΒ that may be targeted at children.
  • Packaging and label requirementsΒ including dosage and warnings;
  • Child-resistant packagingΒ for marijuana in solid and liquid forms;
  • OnlyΒ lab testedΒ and approved products will be available;
  • DefinedΒ serving sizesΒ and package limits on marijuana in solid form;
  • Store signageΒ requirements to educate customers.
A more extensive summary from state regulators isΒ available here.

WSLCB says the documentΒ reflects input from local governments, law enforcement, industry members and the more than 3,000 people who attendedΒ a series of public forums earlier this year.

β€œPublic safety is our top priority,” Board Chair Sharon Foster said in a news release. β€œThese rules fulfill the public expectation of creating a tightly-regulated and controlled system while providing reasonable access to participation in the market.”

A final series of public hearings on the plan will be held Aug. 6 toΒ 8 at to-be-announced locations around the Puget Sound. WSLCB says itΒ will post the schedule on its website in coming weeks.

The rules are set to be adopted on Aug. 14 and go into effect on Sept. 16, the same day the state would begin accepting license applications for producers, processors and retailers.

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