Title
Proposed Zoning and Buffer Changes for Cannabis Land Uses
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Consider a possible interim ordinance on zoning and buffer changes for cannabis land uses.
City Manager Recommendation:
No recommendation at this time.
Report
Issue:
The City currently allows recreational sales of recreational cannabis in High Density Corridor - 4 and General Commercial zones, in conjunction with 1,000 foot buffers separating such uses from the following: schools, playgrounds, licensed daycares, parks, arcades, libraries, and public transit centers. Should the City consider an interim ordinance expanding its zoning to include High Density Corridor - 3 and Medical Services zones, and/or reduce certain buffers?
Staff Contact:
Chris Grabowski, Lead Code Enforcement Officer, Code Enforcement Division, Community Planning & Development, 753-8168
Presenter(s):
Chris Grabowski, Lead Code Enforcement Officer, Code Enforcement Division, Community Planning & Development, 753-8168
Background and Analysis:
The City Council referred this issue to the Land Use and Environment Committee at its Nov. 10, 2015, meeting.
The Washington State Legislature passed comprehensive legislation (2SSB 5052 & HB 2136) creating new regulations for the largely unregulated medical cannabis collectives and establishing a system that will be overseen by the Washington State Department of Health. The legislation was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 24, 2015. 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 to work the plants rather than pay into the cooperative. This step alone effectively ends the proliferation of medical ...
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