Title
Approval of Ordinance Extending for an Additional Six Months the Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens and Other Cannabis-Related Uses not Licensed by Washington State
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the ordinance extending the moratorium on medical marijuana collective gardens for an additional six months on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to extend for an additional six months the City's existing moratorium on new Medical Marijuana Collective Gardens and other cannabis related land uses not licensed by Washington State.
Staff Contact:
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, 360.753.8168
Darren Nienaber, Deputy City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Presenter(s):
Chris Grabowski, Code Enforcement Officer, 360.753.8168
Darren Nienaber, Deputy City Attorney, 360.753.8338
Background and Analysis:
The background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
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. 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. The moratorium on new medical marijuana collective gardens and other cannabis land uses not addressed by I-502 remained in place.
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 tig...
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