Refer Madness

Much to everyone’s surprise, the US federal government reconsidered how it views the perception of cannabis.  It was moved from Schedule I, meaning “High Potential for Abuse”, “No Accepted Medical Use”, and “Lack of Safety” to Schedule III, meaning “Lower Potential for Abuse”, “Accepted Medical Use”, and “Moderate to High Dependency Risk”.

Washington State was the very first to have recreational cannabis legalized via constituent initiative over a dozen years ago. There is a tangled maze of what a person can possess, where they can consume it, can they give it to a family member, etc.  Then there is the allowance of if a person has a medical permit.  No one under 21 is allowed to buy cannabis.  Unless... well, again, the tangled maze.

About half the Pierce County cities have forbidden cannabis retail.  Aside from Lakewood, University Place and Gig Harbor have forbidden cannabis sales.  Tacoma and Puyallup have allowed the retail operation.  You can bet that prime cannabis real estate shops surround the cities with bans.

In 2018 the Lakewood City Council prohibited the production, processing and retail sales of marijuana in “all City of Lakewood Zoning Districts”. 

Not just a question of allowing retail sales, but an outright Prohibition.

You remember Prohibition, right?

Back then Councilmembers Brandstetter, Barth, Whalen, and Mayor Anderson voted in favor of prohibiting cannabis retail within the City.  Councilmembers Bocchi, Moss, and Simpson opposed the Prohibition.

At a recent City Council retreat, delicate tiptoeing eventually leaned toward referring the matter researching tangible aspects of a vote on cannabis retail to a future meeting.  The Council discounted the appeal of sales revenue.  

The LakewoodLyre will be seeking rational spokespersons to present viewpoints both For and Against allowing retail sales of cannabis within Lakewood. Please use the Contact Form.  Specify if you represent an organization.