The city of Kent’s six-month ban against recreational marijuana businesses hasn’t stopped people from applying for retail store licenses from the State Liquor Control Board.
So far, three applicants have applied to open recreational marijuana retail stores in Kent, according to a list posted Tuesday on the liquor board website. The list includes the following proposed business names and addresses for Kent retail outlets:
• Hong Mart Smoke Plus: 23635 104th Ave. S.E.
• Odyssey Smoke Shop Inc.: 23254 Military Road S.
• Weedsdom: 7641 S. 259th St. Suite 101
The list also includes an applicant who wants to open a producer and processing plant named Organiccare, but the listing appears to have a typo in the address which is listed as 20521 12St Way S.E.
The City Council voted 4-3 on Nov. 19 to approve a six-month moratorium to keep marijuana businesses out of Kent. The council majority opposes marijuana businesses because the drug is illegal under federal law.
Voters statewide approved Initiative 502 in November 2012 to allow recreational marijuana producers, processors and retailers. The liquor board started taking applications Nov. 18 for a 30-day period for those who want to operate the new businesses.
The liquor board plans to update the application list each Tuesday during the 30-day window.
The city of Kent would be allowed as many as three recreational marijuana retail stores under rules passed by the liquor board. But since the city
bans recreational marijuana stores as well as production or processing facilities, if someone came to the city for a permit to operate a marijuana retail shop, the city would deny the permit.
Applicants could choose to file a lawsuit against the city in an attempt to allow the business.
Pat Fitzpatrick, acting city attorney, recommended the council pass a moratorium to clearly define the city’s ban.
Liquor board staff will investigate each application before approving a license. An investigator will look at numerous documents including operating plans, floor plans, personal/criminal history statement, fingerprint cards, copy of approved identification, business structure forms, lease information, purchase agreements, financial/source of funds statement, copy of bank statements and/or tax returns and affidavits.
Businesses also must be at 1,000 feet from schools, playgrounds, recreational centers, child care centers, public parks, public transit centers and libraries.
To see the marijuana business applicant list, go to http://www.liq.wa.gov/records/frequently-requested-lists and select Marijuana License Applicants.
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