State authorities catch four pot shops selling to minors



EVERETT -- The Washington State Liquor Control Board began compliance checks at retail pot stores across the state last week and found four stores in violation for selling marijuana to minors.

According to the state, two Tacoma stores -- Mary Mart and Emerald Leaves -- sold to minors during these routine checks. Green City Collective and Purple Haze, both in Everett, also sold to people under 21. The state considers selling to minors a major violation because of the threat to public safety.

Candace Duce used to live next to Purple Haze. She moved out when the pot store moved in.

Duce said, "We just didn`t want to have to deal with the possibility of something happening so close to our kids and people coming in and out buying marijuana all the time. It`s ridiculous. Our kids shouldn`t be close to that at all."

Q 13 FOX News went to Purple Haze and Green City Collective but no one would talk about the recent violations.

The state says authorities checked 22 locations during a three-day span and 18 of those stores did NOT sell to minors.

Businesses sited for the sale to a minor face a 10-day suspension or a $2,500 fine. Businesses who receive three public safety violations face a license cancellation.