Invitation for Public Comment: Draft Conceptual Rules for Marijuana Business Premise Certificate of Compliance

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is seeking public comment regarding draft conceptual rules. These draft conceptual rules are narrowly scoped to include a new rule subsection that provides a marijuana business premise certificate of compliance.  A draft, conceptual version of WAC 314-55-020 is linked here. The new subsection (6) is highlighted in blue.

Background
On July 8, 2020, the WSLCB filed a pre-proposal statement of inquiry (CR 101) to consider amending WAC 314-55-020 to establish a certificate of compliance for marijuana business premises consistent with the mandates of Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 6206 (Chapter 154, Laws of 2020). The CR-101 filing and supporting documents are located here.

Specifically, SSB 6206 amended RCW 69.50.331 to create a certificate of compliance for marijuana business premises, and became effective June 11, 2020. The amendment requires the Board to issue a certificate of compliance for a marijuana business applicant's premises, if the premises met the distance requirements from restricted entities (such as parks, schools, and playgrounds) 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 regarding restricted entities.

The WSLCB invites and encourages your comment on the draft conceptual rule language offered as WAC 314-55-020 (6). Your feedback will be reviewed and considered before a CR 102, or rule proposal, is presented to the Board for approval.

Public Comment
Please forward your comments to Casey Schaufler at casey.schaufler@lcb.wa.gov by September 4, 2020. The CR102 proposal is anticipated to be presented to the Board on or after September 30, 2020.