Washington’s newest laws will impact how you imbibe
Jul 24, 2015, 1:24 PM | Updated: 3:14 pm
Friday marks the first day of the implementation of six new laws that will affect imbibing Washingtonians, including a new law that allows growlers to be filled up at grocery stores. (AP)
(AP)
Friday marks the first day of the implementation of six new laws that will affect imbibing Washingtonians.
The laws come under the purview of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and pertain to both alcohol and marijuana use and sales within the state.
“It was a very busy year this year in the legislature regarding marijuana and alcohol,” said Brian Smith with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. “One of which is that the Liquor Control Board has a new name. We are now the Liquor and Cannabis Board as of today — first change in 81 years.”
Changes to alcohol sales is one big change that may be welcomed by enthusiasts.
“Grocery stores that ask for an endorsement from us can begin selling growlers of beer and cider,” Smith said.
“If you look at the grocery store model, they come in all shapes and sizes, and this would be very appealing to many of them,” he said. “That’s how these laws come about. Industry associations or individual retailers have an interest in Olympia they have a lobbyist or someone who pushes these types of bills … and some of their members are interested in having this type of service for their customers.”
Powdered alcohol also came through the legislative session, but it isn’t a market that will be expanding in Washington.
“Powdered alcohol was a business that started up in another state and other states quickly moved to ban it,” Smith said. “That was one of the first pieces of legislation that passed during this very long legislative session.”
The majority of new laws pertain to marijuana, however. The changes affect tribal relations, how marijuana is produced and brings medical and recreational marijuana regulations in synch.
“Some Indian tribes in Washington are going to be interested in retailing or some other form of growing marijuana on a reservation,” Smith said.
“As of today, the legislation basically bans the use of butane to make hash oil, which is a common practice in the medical industry or on the black market,” he added. “As of today you cannot do that in any form unless you use a closed loop system and are part of a state licensed and sanctioned recreational business.”
Powdered alcohol: The state banned the sale and use of powdered alcohol, other than for research purposes. (SB 5292)
Growlers: People will now be allowed to fill up their personal growlers with beer and cider at properly licensed grocery stores. (SB 5282)
Marijuana research: Establishing a license to study marijuana, its potency, testing of marijuana derived products, the study of marijuana medical treatment, and agricultural research. (SB 5121)
Medical marijuana: Clarifications to the state’s medical marijuana law in light of the more recently passed recreational marijuana law. Medical marijuana will now be regulated under the state’s recreational laws, such as growing regulations and how much a person can carry. (SB 5052)
Marijuana market: The state will now share tax funds from marijuana sales with local jurisdictions. (HB 2136)
Tribes and marijuana: A law that allows Washington’s governor the ability to negotiate agreements with federally recognized tribes in the state pertaining to recreational marijuana market. Tribes will be exempt from state sales, excise and use taxes related to marijuana sales. It also allows for state licensed marijuana producers, processors and retailers to do businesses on tribal lands, as well as allows state licensees to receive products from tribal businesses. (HB 2000)
