Governor Inslee to talk pot regulations with AG Holder in DC

Governor Jay Inslee is meeting with Attorney General Eric Holder Tuesday to discuss Washington’s new marijuana law.

Governor Inslee and new state attorney general Bob Ferguson are going to Holder to begin the discussion of how Washington’s law permitting recreational use of marijuana can coexist with the federal government’s prohibition of the drug.

The Obama Administration said recreational pot use is not a major concern, and Attorney General Holder has said he will announce a policy on Washington’s law soon.

Governor Inslee did not support the new state law, but he said he will now fight for it.

The liquor control board, which will oversee the production and sale of the drug, is holding the first of many public meetings Tuesday in Olympia.

It is looking for the public’s help in crafting the best policies to implement the new law.

On Monday, Rick Garza of the Washington Liquor Control Board said he expects the federal government will try to take action if Washington’s system has loose controls. He said it’s important for Washington to have a strong regulatory structure, such as how participants in the system are licensed and how the product is handled from growth to the point of sale.

“The feds are going to tighten the rope if they feel like it’s not strictly regulated,” Garza said. “The more tightly regulated it is, they are likely to give us a little more room.”

One of the biggest issues the state is looking to manage is how much marijuana will be grown under the new system. Garza said it’s important for officials to properly project consumption rates so the state is growing the right amount of product for in-state users and not having any extra supply that could spill into other states that haven’t legalized marijuana.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.