Wash. seeks experts on how to develop pot industry

November 30, 2012 @ 4:52 pm

Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - State officials tasked with developing a legal marijuana industry in Washington state have a problem: There's no similar system anywhere in the world that they can look to for guidance.

The state's Liquor Control Board also says it has little insight into the basics of pot cultivation, such as how the marijuana should be grown, how much acreage the state will need to develop sufficient supply, how it should be processed or how it should be sold at the retail level.

They are looking to solicit bids from experts from around the country while at the same time taking plenty of unsolicited phone calls from those who want to help.

"There are a lot of people who think they have a lot of expertise in this area," said Rick Garza, deputy director of the Liquor Control Board, during a state Senate hearing Friday. The agency is also requesting funding to add 40 jobs, including 36 that would be permanent positions.

State leaders are moving ahead with developing the system even as they await word of whether the federal government will oppose it. Several state agencies have been forming teams that will look at issues such as licensing, legal matters, enforcement and education.

Alison Holcomb, drug policy director for the ACLU of Washington State who led efforts to pass the marijuana legalization initiative, said the goal of the measure was to make the marijuana retail outlets similar to the recently disbanded state-run liquor stores. She says they would be very controlled, very boring retail outlets with limited signage.

Holcomb said proponents of the news law don't envision state employees selling the marijuana, however, as they want individuals to volunteer to lead the shops since there is still uncertainty over how the federal government will respond.

"They do still risk arrest and prosecution under federal law," Holcomb said.

Garza said state officials knew from the beginning that Washington would be creating a system that would be unprecedented in the U.S., so officials started looking internationally for guidance.

They didn't find much help there, either.

Even countries that are friendly to marijuana users hadn't really gone beyond decriminalization, so Washington will be pioneering with its regulated system.

Possession of marijuana will be legal in Washington state next Thursday, but the process of buying and selling won't be in place for probably another year or so. State financial experts estimate it could raise nearly $2 billion in tax revenue over the next five years.

Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, urged state officials to move quickly on developing the system _ perhaps faster than its original timeline. He expressed concern that drug gangs would take over the market and entrench themselves before the state has a chance to get organized.

"The more time that goes on, the more we're asking for trouble," Kline said.

___

Associated Press writer Mike Baker can be reached on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/HiPpEV


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • Fuego wrote...
    That's funny..
    November 30, 2012 11:09 am
    I thought most of the politicians in Olympia were already high.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William P wrote...
    Shouldn't Be A Problem
    November 30, 2012 12:17 pm
    have an job fair up on capital hill or on University AVE. Should provide plenty of applicant or as option B place an ad in the Stranger or UW daily.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Their are a lot of camps in seattle that are experts
    November 30, 2012 2:08 pm
    They also can teach how to wine and complain, and feel sorry for themselves. Can teach how to become a victim and get hand outs, while giving up all your freedoms.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    How can you seek "experts"
    November 30, 2012 4:36 pm
    When this stuff has been banned over the years?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    You're Seeking Experts, Ya Say?...........
    November 30, 2012 5:36 pm
    Plenty to find on the MyNW.com bong-and-blog.

    Just because it's been illegal over the years doesn't mean that people don't smoke a fattie now and then...or even all day and night. Why do you think we have a Twinkie factory in Seattle?!

    MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM............TWINKIES!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    "...how much acreage the state will need to develop sufficient supply, how it should be processed or how it should be sold at the retail level."
    November 30, 2012 4:42 pm
    Ahh, I see it now, how can we tax it, how can we control it, how much money can we make out of it. Bottom line.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    "State officials tasked with developing a legal marijuana industry in Washington state have a problem"
    November 30, 2012 4:45 pm
    The system works pretty good right now, the state is just wondering how to get their hands on some tax money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    "State financial experts estimate it could raise nearly $2 billion in tax revenue over the next five years...."
    November 30, 2012 4:53 pm
    It's all about the money... gimme 2 billion, you can do what you want.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ted Bundi wrote...
    How do I apply for a job as a "State financial expert"?
    November 30, 2012 4:56 pm
    Sell pot, tax it, State makes money.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SnakeBite wrote...
    Experts
    November 30, 2012 6:49 pm
    Hire the Mafia. They know what they're doing. Them dudes know how to produce, price and deliver pot. Of course their policy includes leaving a few dead bodies here and there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    Holcomb said proponents of the news law don't envision state employees selling the marijuana, however, as they want individuals to volunteer to lead the shops since there is still uncertainty over how the federal government will respond.
    December 1, 2012 1:50 am
    Classic. The State has no problem throwing private citizens under the bus in this experiment. They can't even regulate themselves and they're now trying to regulate the pot industry? It's like letting children play with matches. Btw, does Adam Kline sound like a moron when he "expressed concern that drug gangs would take over the market and entrench themselves before the state has a chance to get organized." Mr. Kline, drug gangs are already entrenched and thriving, wake up! If your goal is to be a drug cartel, follow their example. They seem to be doing just fine. If you can't figure out how to grow a weed, step aside. It's not rocket science. "The more time that goes on, the more we're asking for trouble," Kline said. Sounds like what an organized crime boss would say about a competing drug lord trying to muscle into his territory.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }