Seattle mayor pressures medical marijuana dispensaries
SEATTLE – There’s a new crackdown on the medical pot dispensaries in Seattle.
Mayor Ed Murray argues it’s time to rein in an industry that has grown enormously and that often violates the law.
“For some of these places, medical marijuana is just a pretense,” Murray said at a news conference Tuesday.
Murray said a number of these places are ignoring the state’s pot laws by selling to minors, selling to those without medical authorizations, and even packaging edibles in a way that entices children.
The mayor is asking the City Council to approve a new license for medical pot dispensaries to help ensure they are operating responsibly. Failure to obey the rules will mean fines and, in some cases, closure.
“I support using whatever tools are necessary to get the job done,” said City Attorney Pete Holmes, who joined the mayor in making the announcement.
Up to now there was no good way of penalizing the dispensaries that were violating the rules. The new license gives the city that power.
“We’re strengthening the recreational marijuana market and creating safer, more consistent access for those who rely on medicinal products,” Murray said.
By July 2016, the Liquor and Cannabis Board will require all dispensaries to obtain a new state license that will regulate them like the state-approved recreational stores.