The State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) did not approve a pending license application for the retail sale of marijuana in Mercer Island, according to a city press release sent May 14.
The applicant (Tom’s Stuff) had applied to open a retail store at a location in Town Center under the provisions of Initiative 502, which passed by popular vote in November 2012 and allows the sale of recreational marijuana in Washington.
After Initiative 502 passed, the WSLCB allocated retail licenses across the state. King County was approved for 61 retail outlets out of the 334 allowed statewide.
Mercer Island qualified for one store based on population, but the city determined that there is no retail location that would meet the 1,000-foot rule.
The rule states that any retail location must be sited at least 1,000 feet away from places where children congregate, including parks, playgrounds, schools, daycares, community centers, libraries, etc.
On June 5, Mercer Island sent a notice to the WSLCB informing it that Tom’s Stuff, the single lottery winner awarded a bid for a recreational marijuana storefront on the Island, didn’t comply with state law, as the proposed location was well within 1,000 feet of Aubrey Davis Park. The WSLCB made a final decision to deny the license a few weeks ago.
“Based on the paper trail, we believe that the WSLCB made an error in its initial approval of the license,” said City Manager Noel Treat. “As far as we can tell, the electronic mapping data it used was out of date, and did not depict the location of widely-recognized designated park land adjacent to our Town Center area.”
Tom’s Stuff was one of five retailers to submit an application with a Mercer Island address. Hazy Days of 2856 80th Ave. S.E., Organic Sensimillia Company of 7785 Sunset Highway, Unit 338, Stanky Danky of 2856 80th Ave. S.E. and Twisted Sacks of 2856 80th Ave. S.E. also submitted bids for the lottery, according to Reporter archives.
Tom’s Stuff was ultimately awarded the bid for the Island, but no lottery was needed. The other applicants were disqualified because they didn’t meet certain criteria.
For more information, contact Scott Greenberg at 206-275-7706 or go to the WSLCB website.
