The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has proposed a rule change that could shrink the buffer zones between cannabis stores and sites such as schools, parks, and libraries.

Under RCW 69.50.331, licensed cannabis retailers cannot be within 1,000 feet of the property perimeter of an elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or all-ages arcade. Cities have authority to shrink that buffer down to 100 feet by enacting an ordinance.

The proposed change to WAC 314.55.050 would not change the distances in those buffer zones, but would alter how they are measured. Under current rule, the buffer zones are measured as distance radius from the property lines of the restricted places. The change contemplates changing that measurement to be of the path of travel, which could reduce the effective size of the buffer zone if the sidewalk, road, or path to access a restricted site took an indirect route. The LCB memorandum explaining the proposal also notes that Montana measures distances from entrance points, not lot lines.

Cities can provide input into this proposed change by contacting LCB by July 4:

• Email: rules@lcb.wa.gov
• Fax: 360-704-5027
• Mail: Rules Coordinator, Liquor and Cannabis Board, P.O. Box 43080, Olympia, WA 98504