How Should Washington Handle New Pot Regulations?

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) has adopted a tentative timeline for implementation of Initiative 502, according to an email sent by the WSLCB on Monday.

The timeline (which can be found in an attached pdf), shows a month-by-month estimated view of certain milestones in implementing the initiative, which will allow adults to purchase and use small amounts of marijuana in the state. 

By June, the board expects to begin accepting marijuana producer license applications. In September, they expect to begin issuing producer licenses and taking applications for processor and retail licenses, with those licenses becoming effective as of Dec. 1.

How would you like to see I-502 implemented? Tell us in comments.

The timeline is subject to change, the email said. However, the timeline was vetted internally and is a general estimate of what to expect in the coming year.

Upcoming Public Forums

The WSLCB will announce a series of evening public forums Tuesday, Jan. 15. These forums will be an opportunity for people to: 

A) Meet certain Board staff involved in implementation;

B) Get an update on implementation; and

C) Provide input (testimony) to the Board about things they believe are important for the Board to consider as it develops rules.

The first will be in Olympia the evening of Jan. 22. Patch will post details as soon as they are available.

The November passage of Initiative 502 made personal use amounts of marijuana legal in the state. The state must now license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over 21; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues by a deadline of Dec. 1, 2013.