Title
Briefing on Zoning and Buffer Changes for Cannabis Land Uses
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee
City Manager Recommendation:
None.
Report
Issue:
Brief the Planning Commission on interim changes to zoning and buffer requirements for cannabis related land uses in the Olympia Municipal Code.
Staff Contact:
Chris Grabowski, Lead Code Enforcement Officer, CP&D, 753-8168
Presenter(s):
Chris Grabowski, Lead Code Enforcement Officer, CP&D 360.753.8168
Background and Analysis:
In November of 2012, Washington State voters passed Initiative Measure No. 502 (I-502) legalizing the sale of recreational cannabis in the State of Washington. Subsequently, on May 7, 2013, the Olympia City Council established a moratorium on all new cannabis related land uses. The moratorium was for one year initially, and is renewed every six months after holding a public hearing, per State law. On October 15, 2013, Council approved interim zoning regulations for I-502 recreational marijuana and lifted that portion of the moratorium which applied to those uses. At its April 19, 2016 meeting, the City Council extended the moratorium for an additional six months after holding the requisite public hearing. That extension is set to expire the first week of November, 2016.
In 2015, the Washington State Legislature passed comprehensive legislation (2SSB 5052 & HB 2136) creating rules for the largely unregulated medical cannabis collectives and establishing a State regulated system overseen by the Liquor and Cannabis Board, and the Washington State Department of Health. The long-standing "collectives" are now much smaller and more tightly regulated "cooperatives" that cannot easily rotate their four-person membership. The four-person cooperative can grow up to fifteen (15) plants per member. Cooperatives cannot sell or donate their product to other medical users, even those registered with the state, and members have...
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