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E Newsletter- Your Update on What's Happening at the King County Council   

Update: King County Council Acts on Expiring Marijuana Moratorium

Highlights from today's action by the King County Council regarding zoning for marijuana processing, production, and retail businesses. The legislative changes correspond to the quickly expiring four month moratorium on new marijuana operations in King County. 

On April 25, 2016 the King County Council voted to pass an emergency four month moratorium on marijuana processing, production, and retail operations in unincorporated King County. The moratorium did not ban existing businesses but put a temporary hold on new applications in response to concerns voiced by many residents in unincorporated King County.

Since then I have been working with my colleagues to reexamine and change current county zoning regulations around this industry. Today at the regular meeting of the King County Council, the Council passed legislation altering marijuana zoning regulations.

Some of the major changes to current zoning regulations include:

• Increased building setbacks in rural area zones.
• I was able to advocate to take out 141,598 acres out of the nearly 200,000 acres allotted for marijuana business in rural area zones in King County.

These changes were the result of hours of collaboration between every member of the King County Council. The council represents the whole of our diverse county including regions where entire districts are composed of only incorporated areas.

I know that the changes made today by the council may or may not solve everyone's specific issues or concern. Out of all my colleagues I represent the highest concentration of unincorporated residents. So while advocating for the legislative changes many of you requested, I was in the minority in regards to the philosophy around whether or not marijuana production and processing should be allowed in agriculture and primarily residential areas. Based on the overwhelming feedback from the community, I would have preferred that marijuana growing and processing be excluded from all agricultural and primarily residential zoned areas.

I look forward to working with you to address any future issues that affect those of you living in unincorporated King County.  

2016 King County Fair Highlights The 154th King County Fair was a great time and a big success! Check out my Facebook album for photo highlights from this year's Fair. I am proud to have supported this wonderful annual tradition that showcases our region's agriculture and promotes youth involvement in the community.

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