New pot rules: 334 retail shops in state, no monopolies



SEATTLE — The Washington State Liquor Control Board agreed to rules Wednesday that will regulate the legal pot industry in the state.

"We are making history," WSLCB Chairwoman Sharon Foster said. "This hasn't been done in this way anyplace in the world."

The Liquor Control Board released the total number of retail pot outlets expected to be in operation when I-502 is fully  implemented. The list outlines the counties and towns to get the shops.

King County is slated to get 61 pot shops, with 21 in Seattle, four in Bellevue and many others across the county. Snohomish County, Pierce County and Thurston County are other areas expected to get the most retail outlets.

Under the rules, the stores will only be able to sell pot or pot-infused products, and can’t be attached to another retail outlet. Owners will only be able to corner 33 percent of the local market, or no more than three stores within the same area.

There will also be more options for marijuana business locations, because the board has eased buffer-zone rules around schools, parks, and other places where children gather. The distance must still be 1,000 feet away, but now it won't have to be counted as in a direct line. The buffer is now based on commonly traveled paths.

And don't expect a "Walmart" of weed.

Former Microsoft executive Jamen Shively declared, "We are big marijuana," when he announced plans to open dozens of retail pot shops.  But it now looks like that's not going to happen.

"The board doesn't want one particular entity or company cornering the market," said Rick Garza, director of the Liquor Control Board, which changed the rules so that a single individual or corporation can only be issued up to three licenses.  According to John Davis, Shively's business partner, that's likely to end up in court.

"The Liquor Control Board is overstepping its authority," Davis said. "Limiting licenses is not mentioned in 502."

The board will likely hear more opinions on that as it holds more public hearings on the new, revised rules in October. Foster said it's been a long, strange trip so far.

"I have grandchildren who are not sure what it means to have a grandma as 'queen of the weed,' but we're all moving on," she joked.

The board also released public safety elements of the regulations.

Here are some of the rules proposed by the board in regard to public safety:

Public safety is the top priority of the Washington State Liquor Control Board.


    An updated timeline of implementation was also released:

    Dec. 6, 2012         Effective date of new law

    Sept. 4, 2013        File Supplemental CR 102 with revised proposed rules

    Oct. 9, 2013          Public hearing(s) on proposed rules (time and location TBD)

    Oct. 16, 2013        Board adopts or rejects proposed rules (CR 103)

    Nov. 16, 2013       Rules become effective

    Nov. 18, 2013       Begin accepting applications for all three licenses (30-day window)

    Dec. 1, 2013         Deadline for rules to be complete (as mandated by law)

    Dec. 18, 2013       30-day window closes for producer, processor and retailer license applications

    To see a complete list of expected retail locations by general area, click here.