State to get more than 300 pot shops; Seattle to see 21
SEATTLE -- Looking to buy some legal pot around Seattle come next year? Looks like you'll have 21 places to find your herb of choice.
The Washington State Liquor Control Board released the total number of retail pot outlets expected to be in operation when I-502 is 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, 4 in Bellevue and many others across the county. Snohomish County, Pierce County and Thurston County are other state areas expected to get the most retail outlets.
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 corner 33 percent of the local market, or no more than three stores within the same area.
The locations were released in a liquor control board meeting Wednesday morning. Licensing for producers, processors and retailers is expected to be issued on Dec. 1, as per law.
The board also released public safety elements of the regulations.
Here are some of the rules proposed by the board in regards to public safety:
Public safety is the top priority of the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
An updated timeline of implementation was also released:
December 6, 2012 Effective date of new law
September 4, 2013 File Supplemental CR 102 with revised proposed rules
October 9, 2013 Public hearing(s) on proposed rules (time and location TBD)
October 16, 2013 Board adopts or rejects proposed rules (CR 103)
November 16, 2013 Rules become effective
November 18, 2013 Begin accepting applications for all three licenses (30-day window)
December 1, 2013 Deadline for rules to be complete (as mandated by law)
December 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. Watch Q13 FOX News at 4 and 5 p.m. for further updates