Politics & Government

Two Marijuana Shops Proposed for Kirkland

The latest proposed rules would allow up to four marijuana stores within the Bellevue city limits, according to the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

Story by Venice Buhain

Kirkland could get two marijuana stores within the city limits, according to the newest Initiative 502 rules proposed by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

The initiative legalized marijuana in Washington state, and passed last November with more than 55 percent of the vote.

According to the proposed state rules, a maximum of 334 retail stores will be allowed state, and store locations were allocated based on population in the 2010 Census and "consumption data." 

Under the proposal, Kirkland would get one marijuana store for every 24,000 residents -- a slightly higher ratio than Seattle, which would have 21 stores for its 608,660 residents. Some cities would have a higher shop-to-resident rate, such as Pullman, which would get three marijuana stores for its 30,000 residents. Even counties as small as Wahkiakum and Columbia, which each have about 4,000 residents total, would get at least one shop within the county limits.

The board would allow 61 marijuana stores in King County total. You can check out the list of retail store locations on the Washington State Liquor Control Board website.

Other proposed rules include:

  • Any company or business owner can hold up to three marijuana retail licenses. Multiple-location licensees not allowed to hold more than 33 percent of the allowed licenses in any county or city. 
  • $1,000 criminal penalty for sales to a minor.
  • Separate tiers of grow operations.
  • Marijuana operations will not be allowed within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools, playgrounds, recreation centers or facilities, child care centers, public parks, public transit centers, libraries, or game arcade where admission is not restricted to persons twenty-one years of age or older.
  • Sniff jars with sealed, screened-top lids allowed, but there will be no handling of the product behind the counter.
  • There will be quality assurance testing on the products sold.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed rules on Oct. 9. The rules are expected to be effective Nov. 16 and on Nov. 18 WSLCB begins accepting applications for all license types.

What do you think of the proposed rules? Where do you think the marijuana retail shops will pop up in Kirkland? Tell us in the comments.


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