FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6206

C 154 L 20

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating a certificate of compliance for marijuana business premises that meet the statutory qualifications at the time of application.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Rivers, King and Stanford).

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

House Committee on Commerce & Gaming

Background: The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is generally prohibited from issuing a marijuana license for any premises within 1000 feet of an elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade admission that is not restricted to a person age 21 or older.

A local government may adopt an ordinance that reduces the 1000 foot buffer zone to not less than 100 feet of a recreation center, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade admission that is not restricted to a person age 21 or older. The LCB may issue a license to marijuana producers, processors, and retailers in compliance with a local distance-reduction ordinance, so long as the issuance of the license will not negatively impact the jurisdiction's civil regulatory enforcement, criminal law enforcement interests, public safety, or public health.

A local government may adopt an ordinance that reduces the 1000 foot buffer zone to not less than 100 feet of all of the above listed entities/facilities for the purpose of licensing a marijuana research facility. However, the issuance of the research license must not negatively impact the jurisdiction's civil regulatory enforcement, criminal law enforcement interests, public safety, or public health.

Before issuing or renewing a marijuana research license for a premises located within 1000 feet, but not less than 100 feet of an elementary school, secondary school, or playground in compliance with a local distance-reduction ordinance, the LCB must ensure the facility meets the following requirements:

• the facility must meet a security standard exceeding the standard applicable to marijuana producer, processor, or retailer licensees;

• the facility must be inaccessible to the public and no part of the operation of the facility may be in view of the general public; and

• the facility may bear no advertising or signage indicating it is a marijuana research facility.

Summary: The LCB must issue a certificate of compliance for a marijuana business applicant's premises, if the premises met the statutory buffer zone requirements at the time the application was filed.

The certificate allows the licensee to operate the business at the proposed location notwithstanding a later occurring, otherwise disqualifying factor.

Votes on Final Passage: