State accepting applications for recreational pot licenses

Individuals around the state are now able to apply for recreational marijuana licenses through the Liquor Control Board (LCB), and affected cities will soon be asked to weigh in on whether or not they should be issued.

Starting Monday and lasting until Dec.19, those who wish to establish a facility to cultivate, process or sell recreational marijuana may apply and will likely hear if they have been approved within the following 90 days, according to LCB Communications Director Brian Smith.

Smith said municipalities in which developers hope to locate, known as Local Authorities, will be allowed a 20-day period after the application is submitted in which they may voice their concerns, similar, he said, to when LCB issues a liquor license.

Smith said LCB will take into account all input provided by Local Authorities as it relates to either the anticipated effect of a recreational marijuana facility or general concerns and misgivings, but said not a great deal of weight will be given to arguments against marijuana facilities simply because a Local Authority doesn’t want one.

He did state, however, concerns about a marijuana facility’s impact on local crime rates will be taken into account, and added Local Authorities who feel they need more time to review an applicant’s information can ask for additional time to do so.

Smith also said those curious about which Local Authorities have been notified of an application for a recreational marijuana license may check the LBC website (lcb.wa.gov) on Tuesdays, as a comprehensive list of applicants will be update every Tuesday, starting Nov. 19.

Those curious about the process for applicants as well as how citizens may become involved can visit lcb.wa.gov or call (360) 664-1600.