Policymakers in Washington State are poised to consider letting its residents cultivate marijuana at their homes. According to Marijuana Moment, the bill was pre-filed last week by Shelley Kloba, who represents Democrats and Republican rep Drew MacEwen. It would allow adults 21 and older to grow up to six cannabis plants per person. In addition, a single household […]
Washington
How Black businesspeople were left out of Washington’s green gold rush after marijuana was legalized
The news spread like wildfire: Basketball legend Shawn Kemp would break barriers by opening a Seattle cannabis retail store. The October news release proclaimed Kemp’s Cannabis would be the city’s first Black-owned retail cannabis store. But much like racial equity in the cannabis industry in general, the reality was much murkier. The company later walked back its […]
Sonics legend Shawn Kemp to open Seattle’s first Black-owned marijuana dispensary
Just a stone’s throw away from where he used to rattle rims and enthrall the green-clad fans inside KeyArena, Sonics legend Shawn Kemp is embarking on a new endeavor. The “Reign Man” is opening up a cannabis shop called “Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis”, which will become Seattle’s first Black-owned dispensary. The dispensary “Shawn Kemp’s Cannabis” located […]
Washington marijuana businesses see boost during pandemic
While the COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with the Washington economy and many of its industries, it has boosted at least one: the state’s legal marijuana operations. Marijuana sales at state-licensed stores jumped in March as the state went into its “Stay Safe” restrictions with workers in nonessential jobs told to stay home and many […]
Washington Cannabis: Who is a True Party of Interest Under the New Rule?
By Daniel Shortt, Attorney at Harris Bricken At long last, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“LCB”) has finished revising its “True Party of Interest” rule (TPI). This process started way back in August of 2018 and after many revisions and multiple legislative changes. The LCB approved the new rule on September 2, 2020 […]
Its time to fight back against illegal state and local cannabis laws.
Until now, many states have treated participants within their legal cannabis industries as second-class citizens, depriving these businesses of certain constitutional protections that apply in any other marketplace. Conventional wisdom said that cannabis businesses were either so grateful to be operating in the light of day, in a legal marketplace, that they would take these […]
Despite legalization, people of color still disproportionately targeted for marijuana, new studies say
Marijuana legalization has been touted as one way to unravel the consequences of the war on drugs, but two new studies suggest that the communities most harmed by the nearly 50-year crusade — namely people of color — are not reaping the benefits. Two reports, published by the American Civil Liberties Union and a team of researchers from […]
Washington May Redefine What it Means to Own a Marijuana Business
By Daniel Shortt, Attorney at Harris Bricken On May 20, 2020, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) held a virtual listen and learn forum on Draft Conceptual Rules Regarding Marijuana Licensee True Party of Interest Rules. Cannabis Observer covered the forum and a summary is available here. The move to change the true party […]
Two Pending Bills Could Substantially Change Washington’s Cannabis Advertising Laws
By Alison Malsbury, Attorney at Harris Bricken Last month, two pieces of legislation were introduced to the legislature that could substantially alter Washington State’s advertising laws: HB 2350 and HB 2321. Each bill would tighten advertising restrictions for cannabis businesses, particularly with regard to advertising that could appeal to youth. Both bills were filed pre-session, […]
Let’s be blunt, Idaho. You’re buying a lot of marijuana in Oregon, and it shows
Idahoans are supporting Oregon’s economy in a major way: It’s where they’re buying marijuana, because it’s legal there but not here. “In things you cannot make up, Oregon sales per adult along the Idaho border are 420% the statewide average,” wrote Josh Lehner in a report released Friday by the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. It’s […]