OLYMPIA – In the first complete round of compliance checks of retail marijuana retail stores, 19 Washington recreational retail marijuana businesses sold marijuana to an underage investigative aide.
None of the stores that failed the checks, however, were in Kitsap County.
Washington State Liquor Control Board enforcement officers working with underage investigative aides, checked each retail marijuana business for sales of marijuana to minors. The checks essentially represent an 88 percent no-sales-to-minors compliance rate.
“Our goal is 100 percent compliance,” said WSLB Board Chair Jane Rushford. “While perfect compliance is always a challenging goal, it is clearly in everyone’s interest that our licensees be vigilant about preventing underage sales.”
The 19 businesses will be cited for selling marijuana to minors. The individuals who sold the marijuana will be referred to their respective prosecuting attorney’s office for potential criminal prosecution.
First marijuana compliance checks
The WSLCB and local authorities regularly conduct compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol and marijuana. The checks, conducted at every open marijuana retailer across the state (157 locations) from mid-May until the end of June, were the first marijuana compliance checks. Stores were considered open if it had reported sales. The checks followed earlier communications to all licensees that enforcement officers were beginning compliance checks and recommended best practices for avoiding an illegal sale.
Compliance checks are proven tools to reduce the sale of age-restricted products to minors. Investigative aides assist officers with compliance checks. These individuals are from 18-20 years old. They must either present their true identification or none at all if asked by a clerk.
Administrative penalties
Liquor enforcement officers are empowered to issue Administrative Violation Notices to businesses that fail compliance checks. Fines or temporary license suspensions can be issued depending on the severity of the infraction or the frequency with which a business has been cited. Sales to minors are considered the most serious violations because they present a threat to public safety. Businesses cited for Sale to a Minor face a 10-day suspension or $2,500 fine. A second violation within three years requires a 30-day suspension with no monetary option. Businesses who receive three public safety violations within three years face license cancellation.
Kitsap County marijuana stores that passed the checks are Hwy 420 in Bremerton, Paper And Leaf on Bainbridge Island, and 420 Spot Shop, Crockpot, and Greenway Marijuana, all in Port Orchard.
Businesses that sold marijuana to a minor:
1. Green City Collective, Everett
2. Purple Haze, Everett
3. Emerald Leaves, Tacoma
4. Mary Mart, Tacoma
5. Dockside Cannabis, Shoreline
6. Evergreen Cannabis, Blaine
7. Cannablyss, Lake Stevens
8. Cascade Kropz, Arlington
9. Clear Choice Cannabis, Tacoma
10. Royal’s Cannabis, Spokane
11. Token Herb, Eastsound
12. Sweet Greens Northwest, Rochester
13. Green Lady, Olympia
14. TJ’s Cannabis Buds, Shelton
15. 4us Retail, Okanogan
16. Purple Haze, Everett
17. Bud Hut, Everett
18. Theorem, Kenmore
19. American Mary, Seattle
All businesses that passed their compliance checks and did not sell marijuana to a minor can be found here http://lcb.wa.gov/publications/Marijuana/Enforcement%20Data/Compliance%20Checks%20No-Sale.xlsx
The WSLCB mission is to promote public safety and trust through fair administration and enforcement of liquor, tobacco and marijuana laws. Per 2015 legislation, on July 24, 2015, the agency will change its name to the Liquor and Cannabis Board. It will retain the WSLCB acronym.
