Marijuana Jars
An overflow crowd wanted to give the WA State Liquor Control Board their ideas about the best ways to implement the new law legalizing recreational marijuana in our state. (photo: AP/file)

Packed crowd attends forum on budding new industry of recreational pot

BY Kim Shepard  on January 23, 2013 @ 6:21 am (Updated: 9:05 am - 1/23/13 )

Shortly after Washington's governor sat down with the U.S. Attorney General Tuesday to discuss the conflict between the state and the federal government when it comes to marijuana, the Washington State Liquor Control Board held a public forum on the topic.

It's the next step in implementing Initiative 502, the voter-approved measure to legalize the sale, taxation and consumption of recreational pot.

"We're considering needing to change the name to include marijuana or cannabis in that board," said Liquor Control Board Chair Sharon Foster as she opened the forum.

It was a packed crowd, with many people sitting on the floor in front of the first row of chairs and even more standing along the walls of the room.

Foster said she was surprised by the amount of interest in the public forum. She promised the crowd the board would move forward carefully, but would work to meet the Dec. 1 deadline for implementing the entirety of 502.

"The governor expects us to move like the voters told us to move, and we will move ahead. We will hopefully do it correctly," said Foster.

There were plenty of suggestions from the crowd to help the board with its rule-making process.

A former Microsoft manager who wants to start a high-end pot company asked the board to set up plenty of controls and testing. He said it would be the best defense against any attempt by the federal government to block the state's efforts.

Another interesting idea surrounded the finances of the budding industry. Right now, banks won't lend to growers of medicinal pot for fear of being prosecuted by the federal government for money laundering.

"It seems to me that's not going to go away, at least not in the near future," said speaker Larry Ward. "What I would suggest that the state set up a funding program that is much like 'Good to Go.'"

Ward painted a picture for the board in which pre-paid pot cards were sold at local drug stores. Marijuana buyers would be able to link the 'Good to Go' pot accounts directly to their credit cards, so they would be automatically refilled once they fell below a set dollar amount.

Not only would it make things easier for cannabis growers and producers, Ward explained it would help the state facilitate taxing of the new product.

"I think the last thing we want to see is a cash business. That was one of the points of 502. It also gives the state total control. You can take your cut right at that level" says Ward.

The next public forum meeting is scheduled to be held at Seattle City Hall Thursday night at 6 p.m.

Kim Shepard, KIRO Radio Reporter
Kim Shepard is a news anchor and reporter for KIRO Radio and the office optimist. She's energetic, quick to laugh and has a positive outlook on life.
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Comments (13)


  • Add A Comment

  • CH wrote...
    will you stop doing this -
    January 23, 2013 6:18 am
    its like putting candy in front a fat man.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    So
    January 23, 2013 6:45 am
    That's how you plan to spend your free time and treasure? Yeah, that's smart.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Keep them stoners stoned
    January 23, 2013 7:00 am
    Boy you'd think how this has become priotity one for the democrats it's like they're securing their political future for years to come. Glaucoma appears to have reached pandemic levels in Washington state. Groovy man.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    This is to Help! Mariners Fans!.
    January 23, 2013 7:37 am
    Help is on the way Mariners Fans!!. Soon it "won't matter" that jack gets all of his players from pioneer square. Far Out!.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Keep em stoned and stupid
    January 23, 2013 8:10 am
    they will vote for Obama every time!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bofus wrote...
    Speaking of stupid
    January 23, 2013 1:09 pm
    How did your election predictions turn out?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    One thing is for sure, they're already making it way to complicated
    January 23, 2013 8:56 am
    The stoners will never figure it out. Maybe they should get some sheep herders to design the system...that may make it doable for the potheads.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Survey says..........
    January 23, 2013 9:44 am
    It will be found out it was MUCH more fun when it (dope) was illegal.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Keep em stoned and stupid -
    January 23, 2013 10:50 am
    that's the GOP!! How else could one vote for mittens! They were so stoned they ended up voting for King Obama.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    CH wrote...
    January 23, 2013 1:07 pm
    That's right CH, you'd have to be stoned to vote for Romney. That's why 98% of stoners voted for their stoner buddy Obama. Obama was the clear choice because of his experience, qualifications and track record. Man, you are eff'ing brilliant.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    One of these days CHs mommy is going to catch him in the basement.
    January 23, 2013 1:46 pm
    A doobie, a picture of Obama and tuggin hard. That will be it for CH.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }