Washington state residents may soon have plenty of places to get marijuana for recreational use. The state, which voted to allow recreational pot use in November, released its proposed pot rules and regulations but the drug’s new status in the state does have some worried.
According to The Seattle Times, the state’s Liquor Control Board proposed a set of regulations on Wednesday, which will limit total marijuana production to 40 metric tons starting next year. It will hand out licenses to 334 stores to sell pot, including 21 in Seattle.
The regulations also put a cap on producers, limiting growing facilities to at least 30,000 square feet.
CNN reports that the board will hold a vote on the regulations next month. Stores and producers can start applying for a license in December.
“These rules fulfill the public expectation of creating a tightly-regulated and controlled system while providing reasonable access to participation in the market,” board chair Sharon Foster stated.
Alison Holcomb, one of the authors of Washington’s recreational-pot law, praised the proposal. “Other states and nations are already reviewing Washington state’s work for guidance in shaping new, and sound, marijuana policies in their communities,” she said.
However, the LA Times notes that some are nervous that recreational pot use will make it harder for patients to get pot for medical purposes. And growers are also complaining that the regulations will favor indoor growing facilities over outdoor ones.
While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the Justice Department recently decided not to go after state laws that have legalized recreational pot use.
image: Wikimedia Commons
