Security questions raised about proposed pot rules

OLYMPIA -- Some Washington lawmakers are questioning the state's proposed rules for regulating legal pot, especially the rules surrounding security, at grow operations and retailers.

State Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, who chairs the House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, also spent 25 years in law enforcement.

Hurst said he believes it's critical that future pot retailers and growers are secure, not just for customers, but so the state can police an industry that has been illegal until now.

“We’re trying to keep these businesses honest,” Hurst said. “Make sure what you’re selling in there is an approved product, that they’re paying taxes on it, and that they’re playing by the rules.”

At a hearing on the issue, Hurst had a lot of questions for the state Liquor Control Board, which is creating the rules for legal marijuana.

The proposed rules do require surveillance cameras and lock-boxes for recording devices, but they leave it up to the individual businesses to install them. Hurst believes it should be more regulated.

He wants state-approved installation and inspection of those cameras, similar to the process in Colorado.

“You have an approved system, that are absolutely bullet-proof and that’s what Colorado did, so I think that’s a good model,” Hurst said.

Randy Simmons is in charge of crafting those rules at the Liquor Control Board. He admitted Hurst has valid concerns, but said a lot of the rules will likely change over the next year.

The liquor laws in Washington have changed every year since 1933, and he believes marijuana won't be any different.

“I think until it’s really up and running in a legal marketplace, you’re going to have problems, you’re going to have some of the same issues you have out there now,” said Simmons. “There is theft in the illicit marketplace right now, so I think security is a really big issue.”