Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
A moratorium on marijuana businesses in the unincorporated areas of the county was extended by the Board of Lewis County Commissioners at a Monday meeting, marking the seventh time the ban on such operations has been renewed since it was implemented around three years ago.
The extension adds two more months to the current moratorium.
Even when the moratorium is eventually lifted, county commissioners plan to enact a provision requiring marijuana businesses to obtain federal permits to operate. Such permits are currently unattainable.
Commissioners Gary Stamper and Edna Fund said they passed another moratorium to address concerns that have been raised, including odor regulations, low levels of excise tax revenue returning to the county and law enforcement concerns.
"This has gotta be a thoughtful process," Stamper said. "It's important that we work all the bugs out, so to speak."
Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza addressed the commissioners with concerns over his department's budget, particularly the cost of enforcing marijuana laws versus income received.
Under state law, only municipalities that allow marijuana businesses to operate can receive marijuana excise tax revenue.
Revenue is distributed to counties based on their overall percentage of excise tax generated from an annual pool of $6 million.
This leads to situations like this year, where despite the two recreational retail stores in Chehalis generating more than $1.08 million in excise tax revenue, the city only received around $7,000 from the state.
While the total amount of revenue the state will distribute to municipalities will likely increase following the 2017 legislative session, it may not offset costs incurred by the Sheriff's Office, which requested an additional two deputies if the moratorium is lifted.
But the moratorium has caused headaches for local would-be business owners Angel and Scott Swanson, who have received licenses for three retail businesses in unincorporated Lewis County from the Liquor and Cannabis Board but haven't been able to open.
"I can understand the direction that they're taking, and I can understand that they are honestly trying to pass this ordinance," Angel Swanson said.
She said she is happy the commissioners opted for a shorter moratorium this time, saying she thinks they are intent on getting the moratorium lifted.
Being prohibited from opening has caused financial problems for the couple, which is stuck paying rent, power and insurance at their locations.
"Just looking forward to getting open and moving forward," Angel Swanson said.
The ordinance would allow for seven retail locations to open in the county, along with growing and processing businesses.
These businesses would be limited to one per ZIP code, which the county Deputy Prosecutor Eric Eisenberg said would help prevent clustering.
"One per ZIP code kind of spreads out the stores," he told the commissioners.
Stores in unincorporated urban growth areas would be managed by the cities they could potentially be annexed by to simplify regulations, Eisenberg said.
Even though the county has renewed its moratorium, local municipalities, like the city of Chehalis, can choose to allow marijuana businesses to open.
Another public hearing was scheduled for Jan. 23, where commissioners will once again be given the option to either extend the moratorium or lift it.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lewis County Commissioners Renew Marijuana Moratorium For Seventh Time
Author: Aaron Kunkler
Contact: (360) 736-3311
Photo Credit: Pete Caster
Website: The Chronicle
The extension adds two more months to the current moratorium.
Even when the moratorium is eventually lifted, county commissioners plan to enact a provision requiring marijuana businesses to obtain federal permits to operate. Such permits are currently unattainable.
Commissioners Gary Stamper and Edna Fund said they passed another moratorium to address concerns that have been raised, including odor regulations, low levels of excise tax revenue returning to the county and law enforcement concerns.
"This has gotta be a thoughtful process," Stamper said. "It's important that we work all the bugs out, so to speak."
Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza addressed the commissioners with concerns over his department's budget, particularly the cost of enforcing marijuana laws versus income received.
Under state law, only municipalities that allow marijuana businesses to operate can receive marijuana excise tax revenue.
Revenue is distributed to counties based on their overall percentage of excise tax generated from an annual pool of $6 million.
This leads to situations like this year, where despite the two recreational retail stores in Chehalis generating more than $1.08 million in excise tax revenue, the city only received around $7,000 from the state.
While the total amount of revenue the state will distribute to municipalities will likely increase following the 2017 legislative session, it may not offset costs incurred by the Sheriff's Office, which requested an additional two deputies if the moratorium is lifted.
But the moratorium has caused headaches for local would-be business owners Angel and Scott Swanson, who have received licenses for three retail businesses in unincorporated Lewis County from the Liquor and Cannabis Board but haven't been able to open.
"I can understand the direction that they're taking, and I can understand that they are honestly trying to pass this ordinance," Angel Swanson said.
She said she is happy the commissioners opted for a shorter moratorium this time, saying she thinks they are intent on getting the moratorium lifted.
Being prohibited from opening has caused financial problems for the couple, which is stuck paying rent, power and insurance at their locations.
"Just looking forward to getting open and moving forward," Angel Swanson said.
The ordinance would allow for seven retail locations to open in the county, along with growing and processing businesses.
These businesses would be limited to one per ZIP code, which the county Deputy Prosecutor Eric Eisenberg said would help prevent clustering.
"One per ZIP code kind of spreads out the stores," he told the commissioners.
Stores in unincorporated urban growth areas would be managed by the cities they could potentially be annexed by to simplify regulations, Eisenberg said.
Even though the county has renewed its moratorium, local municipalities, like the city of Chehalis, can choose to allow marijuana businesses to open.
Another public hearing was scheduled for Jan. 23, where commissioners will once again be given the option to either extend the moratorium or lift it.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lewis County Commissioners Renew Marijuana Moratorium For Seventh Time
Author: Aaron Kunkler
Contact: (360) 736-3311
Photo Credit: Pete Caster
Website: The Chronicle
