The Washington Senate passed a bill on Tuesday to merge the state’s medical and recreational marijuana systems. The vote was 41-8. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, was significantly modified in the House. The Senate accepted the House changes, and now the legislation goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.
Since Washingtonians voted to legalize recreational pot in 2012, the Legislature along with the Washington Liquor Control Board, which administers the regulatory system, has been working on how to control the two markets for pot. The goal in both the House and Senate was to bring medical marijuana regulations to the same strict standards as the recreational industry.
The newly passed bill would create a prioritization system for people applying for retail licenses. It would require the Liquor Control Board to increase both the amount of real estate for marijuana production and the number of stores. House revisions prevent the proposed registry for medical patients from being used to arrest people.
The bill would also limit the ability of any city or county to ban marijuana businesses, making a public initiative the only route. If such a ban is imposed, it must stay in place for at least two years.
