Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The University Place City Council is debating whether to lift its two-year-old ban on marijuana businesses.
City Attorney Steve Victor gave the council two options at a study session Tuesday: lift the current ban and allow marijuana sales, or pass a new ban.
"The one I would suggest would be to remove the prohibition," Victor told the council.
The recommendation came four days after a state law forced the closure of unregulated medical dispensaries.
The state Liquor and Cannabis Board allotted one marijuana store license to University Place. That means only one store could legally operate in the city of 31,500 people if the ban ends.
The state had not assigned the license as of May 9, according to Liquor and Cannabis Board data.
"If we allow the store, the state gives us a portion of that revenue," Victor said Tuesday. "A year ago that would have been about $15,000. Today that's somewhere between the $40,000 and $60,000 range. In the context of our budget, that's significant."
The city, in response to a projected $1 million budget shortfall for 2017, has cut the city's recreation programs and imposed a sewer franchise fee on Pierce County for use of city right of way for its sewer utilities.
If the council prefers to keep a ban, the city should write a new one, Victor said. The existing ban cites concerns about federal enforcement and ambiguity in state law. The legal picture is now more clear, Victor told the council.
"I don't think there is a significant risk of city liability or criminal liability under current law," he said.
The council asked for more information, including crime data and economic and community impacts in Colorado, which legalized marijuana shortly before Washington.
Councilman Steve Worthington reminded the council the decision is not whether to legalize marijuana.
"That horse is out of the barn," he said.
"Our position is whether or not we remove the ban on marijuana."
Most council members indicated a preference for regulating store locations through local zoning, while others cautioned the state has the ability to allocate more licenses to UP if it lifts its ban.
"I do think that because of the fact it has the potential of spreading to more than just one (store), that we do need to have the planning commission look at it just like they did with our adult entertainment ordinance," Councilwoman Caroline Belleci said.
The council is expected to direct the planning commission to study lifting the ban. The commission's recommendation would go back to the council for a vote at a later date.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: University Place Eyes Marijuana Sales To Benefit City Budget
Author: Brynn Grimley
Contact: 253-597-8742
Photo Credit: Tony Overman
Website: The News Tribune
City Attorney Steve Victor gave the council two options at a study session Tuesday: lift the current ban and allow marijuana sales, or pass a new ban.
"The one I would suggest would be to remove the prohibition," Victor told the council.
The recommendation came four days after a state law forced the closure of unregulated medical dispensaries.
The state Liquor and Cannabis Board allotted one marijuana store license to University Place. That means only one store could legally operate in the city of 31,500 people if the ban ends.
The state had not assigned the license as of May 9, according to Liquor and Cannabis Board data.
"If we allow the store, the state gives us a portion of that revenue," Victor said Tuesday. "A year ago that would have been about $15,000. Today that's somewhere between the $40,000 and $60,000 range. In the context of our budget, that's significant."
The city, in response to a projected $1 million budget shortfall for 2017, has cut the city's recreation programs and imposed a sewer franchise fee on Pierce County for use of city right of way for its sewer utilities.
If the council prefers to keep a ban, the city should write a new one, Victor said. The existing ban cites concerns about federal enforcement and ambiguity in state law. The legal picture is now more clear, Victor told the council.
"I don't think there is a significant risk of city liability or criminal liability under current law," he said.
The council asked for more information, including crime data and economic and community impacts in Colorado, which legalized marijuana shortly before Washington.
Councilman Steve Worthington reminded the council the decision is not whether to legalize marijuana.
"That horse is out of the barn," he said.
"Our position is whether or not we remove the ban on marijuana."
Most council members indicated a preference for regulating store locations through local zoning, while others cautioned the state has the ability to allocate more licenses to UP if it lifts its ban.
"I do think that because of the fact it has the potential of spreading to more than just one (store), that we do need to have the planning commission look at it just like they did with our adult entertainment ordinance," Councilwoman Caroline Belleci said.
The council is expected to direct the planning commission to study lifting the ban. The commission's recommendation would go back to the council for a vote at a later date.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: University Place Eyes Marijuana Sales To Benefit City Budget
Author: Brynn Grimley
Contact: 253-597-8742
Photo Credit: Tony Overman
Website: The News Tribune
