In Pasco, Washington, the retail cannabis ban has finally been lifted

The city of Pasco, Washington this week officially lifted its ten-year ban on cannabis retailers, a historic change for that part of the state.

According to the Tri-City Herald, the city council there voted 5-3 Monday on zoning changes that would lift the ban.

The newspaper reports that the vote “marks the end of a decade-long struggle by local marijuana activists and business owners for an easing of government restrictions in the city of 80,000.”

“The ordinance lifts the ban in three commercial zones (C-1, C-2 and C-3) and three industrial zones (I-1, I-2 and I-3) across the city and opens up business operations along certain areas 68 North Road, Kings Corner, Broadmoor Boulevard, East Lewis Street and Court Street. It will go into effect five days after approval pending any publication requirements,” according to the Herald.

The vote will make Pasco first in what is known as the “Tri-Cities,” a metropolitan area in eastern Washington that includes three contiguous communities (Richland and Kennewick being the other two).

Washington was one of the first two states in the country to legalize adult recreational cannabis in 2012 when voters approved a ballot measure to lift the ban. (Colorado voters approved a similar proposal that same year.)

Some states and cities opposed the new law in Washington, instead voting to ban the retail sale of cannabis in their jurisdictions.

But over the years, as legalization spread nationwide, some residents of these communities began to change their minds. The Tri-City Herald reported earlier this year that a “2021 community poll found that 46% of Pasco residents would not support changes that would allow retail marijuana sales within city limits, while about 45% said they would.” decided or rather support this.”

The newspaper reported in March that the Pasco City Council voted to move forward with “the plan to draft an ordinance to lift the ban on retail cannabis in commercial and industrial areas,” while rejecting a proposal to “vote voters to their to ask for an opinion on the matter”. .”

“The decision brings Pasco closer to becoming the first city government in the Tri-Cities to lift its ban on retail cannabis. But they must first issue an ordinance before stores can open to sell marijuana in the coming weeks or months,” the Herald reported at the time. “One estimate shows cannabis retailer Pasco could bring in at least $200,000 in annual sales, said interim city manager Adam Lincoln.”

That day officially came on Monday.

The City Council provided further details on the new ordinance:

“The current draft regulation limits the number of potential retail cannabis establishments to three (3) stores, with a total of up to four (4) stores, as long as one is a “social equity licensee.” This reflects the current number of licenses available for the City of Pasco and Franklin County in general, as issued by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. While it is unclear what actual impact the social equity licensing program would have, there appears to be a possibility that licenses allocated to other counties may be settled in Pasco in the future, and thus that is the reason for the inclusion of a restriction on some Retail establishments in the draft regulation. However, this is not required by any regulation and can easily be changed if the Council decides to do so. It should also be noted that the draft ordinance does not allow for “cooperatives” and continues to ban cannabis production and processing facilities within the City of Pasco, as requested by the council.”