Published on Aug 06, 2021

Reminder: What cities can do above statewide minimums for cannabis

Contact: Sharon Swanson, Jacob Ewing

Did you know that cities can impose higher local standards on cannabis retailers and growers than the state? Per the Liquor and Cannabis Board, cities can:

  • Issue bans or moratoria on cannabis retail operation.
  • Limit manner of advertising at storefronts.
  • Restrict retailers to commercial zones only or prohibit retailers from locating in residential mixed zones as well as require minimum distance from residential zones.
  • Cap the number of retailers within the city.
  • Setting buffer/distance requirements from schools or other establishments.
  • Establishing more restrictive operating hours.
  • Requiring point-of-sale public health messaging.
  • Zoning and capacity limitations for growing and processing facilities.

For more information on cannabis regulations in Washington, MRSC has compiled an overview page on current regulations.

  • Advocacy
  • General government
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