Presentation Title One-Year Update Subtitle (optional) March 2, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Recreational Marijuana Update - 1

Presentation Title

Subtitle (optional)

Date Vancouver City Council Workshop/Public Hearing Staff, Title Staff, Title

Recreational Marijuana in Vancouver

One-Year Update

March 2, 2015 Vancouver City Council Workshop Bryan Snodgrass and Greg Turner Community and Economic Development Department Brent Boger, Assistant City Attorney

Recreational Marijuana Update - 2

• I-502 approved by Washington and Vancouver voters 2012
• Recreational marijuana from state-licensed producer, processer
• r retail sales facilities only, located at least 1,000 feet from

existing schools, parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, child care centers, transit centers, libraries or arcades

• State (Liquor Control Board) licensing also includes operational,

advertising, record keeping, and property surveillance requirements, and annual renewal

• Adult consumption on private property only
• Up to six retail licenses in Vancouver

Key State Requirements

Recreational Marijuana Update - 3

• Licensed retailers in Community and General Commercial

zones and at least 300 feet from each other

• Producers and processors in Light and Heavy Industrial zones
• Requires City Business License, indoor facilities only,

compliance with SWCAA odor standards, store product and cash in constructed or secured safe, close at 11 p.m.

• Follows state interpretation of 1000 foot sensitive use issues
• Uses existing land use review processes. Additional informal

notice to neighborhoods through forwarding of pending state license notice.

Vancouver Standards

Recreational Marijuana Update - 4

• Four retailer stores open:

– Main St. Marijuana, 2314 Main St – New Vansterdam, 6515 Mill Plain – High End Market Place, 1906 Broadway – The Herbery, 212 164th Avenue

• Two stores in final state licensing stages at 2815 and 6018 St. Johns
• Three producer/processors open, three in final state licensing
• Approximately $7.5 million local sales, $1.8 million state excise tax,

$150,000 sales taxes (LCB, DOR).

• Retail prices declining, some now within 20% of black market

Vancouver Experience

Recreational Marijuana Update - 5

• Detectible impacts mainly local parking availability, particularly during

initial store openings

• 15 recreational marijuana related calls, all non-crime, reported by VPD

through November

• Limited code compliance issues
• Overall local marijuana consumption levels unknown, and include

medical as well as black market marijuana

• Local medical activity unknown as state law requires no registration of

medically authorized individuals, and no collective gardens have applied locally

Vancouver Experience

Recreational Marijuana Update - 6

• Similar state ramp-up after initial supply shortages
• State licensing moving forward cautiously.

– Not all local jurisdictions participating. – Battle Ground only other in Clark County.

• Over 100 retail and 300 producer and processor licenses issued

statewide, generating $95 million in sales and $23 million in state excise tax revenue.

• No evidence of widespread security or public health incidents
• No comprehensive assessments to date

Washington Experience

Recreational Marijuana Update - 7

• No staff recommendations for local marijuana regulatory

changes, but marijuana marketplace and legal framework is change rapidly. Staff is monitoring the following developments:

• State Legislative Changes. Several bills introduced in current session,

few moving forward. SB 5417 would effectively distribute half of marijuana revenues to local governments, and allow for local discretion with 1000 foot setback.

Issues Going Forward

Recreational Marijuana Update - 8

• Vaporizers. Typically pen-sized devices allowing inhalation of aerosol

derived by heating marijuana concentrate extracted from plants. These and E-cigarettes currently popular with youth are an emerging public health concern as they allow odorless, potent consumption not subject to smoking regulations.

• Edibles. State law requires marijuana- infused products to be pre-

approved, delineate individual serving sizes, contain evenly distributed psychoactive elements, not require refrigeration or sterilization, and not be especially appealing to children. No known problems, but products are rapidly evolving. Liquids, pill-like solids, and some pre-packaged cookies available locally.

Issues Going Forward continued

Recreational Marijuana Update - 9

• Lounges. Venues allowing on-site consumption apparently precluded

by state prohibitions against public consumption of marijuana or indoor

• smoking. Law less clear if businesses effectively convert to private,

members only clubs at certain times, or limit consumption to edible or infused products.

• Oregon Marijuana. Recent voter initiative allows adult possession and

use of up to one ounce or four plants of non-medical marijuana beginning July 2015. State licensing of stores to begin in 2016.

Issues Going Forward continued

Recreational Marijuana Update - 10

Bryan Snodgrass, Community & Economic Development Dept.

360-487-7946 bryan.snodgrass@cityofvancouver.us

City recreational project website: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/I-502 Washington Liquor Control Board I-502 website: http://liq.wa.gov/marijuana/I-502

Questions and Discussion

To request other formats, please contact: City Manager’s Office (360) 487-8600 | WA Relay: 711 Amanda.Delapena@cityofvancouver.us