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On Wednesday, the Washington State Liquor Control Board agreed to new regulations for the pot industry in Washington. According to the new regulations there would be a total number of 334 pot retail shops for now with December 18 being the deadline for applying for stores.
The rules would still face public hearings and there would be a final vote on October 16.
Highlights of the new rules for controlling the marijuana industry in Washington includes no more than three stores within the same area and easing of buffer-zone rules around schools, parks and other public places.
Former Microsoft strategy manager Jamen Shivley has already threatened to sue over a provision that says an individual or corporation cannot be issued more than three store licenses.
This again dashes Shivley’s grand plans of becoming a marijuana mogul and floating the only national brand of marijuana.
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Shivley had announced his plans of a national marijuana brand on 30th July with his vision supported by former Mexican President Vincent Fox. However, Shivley’s vision of importing wholesale from Mexico and distributing across United States was literally nipped in the bud after most states came up with regulations where pot sold within a state had to be produced within the state.
Shivley has already acquired rights to the Northwest Patient Resource Center, which has two Seattle store fronts. He is angry, and as his business partner John Davis put it, “The Liquor Control Board is overstepping its authority … limiting licenses is not mentioned in [ballot initiative] 502.”
However, Rick Garza, director of the Liquor Control Board said “The board doesn’t want one particular entity or company cornering the market.”
According to the proposed new rules agreed to by the state authorities, pot retail outlets will have to be exclusive and pot cannot be dispensed from outlets selling any other thing and pot selling counters cannot be attached to other retail outlets.
The rules also provide for strict seed to counter tracking and surveillance, and criminal background checks on all license applicants. There are also tough penalties for public safety violations and advertisements targeted at children.
