At Tuesday’s public hearing, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners continued the public hearing on the County’s Interim Marijuana Moratorium Ordinance until February 3rd. A large number of people showed up to testify and the time allowed at Tuesday’s hearing was insufficient for all those who wished to speak to do so. Consequently, the Commissioners extended the hearing date, which leaves the current Moratorium in place.
Both supporters and those opposed to the Moratorium testified. The audience appeared split between those opposing marijuana businesses in rural zones and those supporting existing and new marijuana businesses. Especially negatively affected are businesses that have either applied for a recreational marijuana license or been issued a recreational marijuana license in rural Skagit County.
The Moratorium prohibits marijuana production and processing facilities in a number of the County’s Rural and Residential zones. It also sets forth a new setback requirement whereby marijuana facilities cannot be located within 250 feet of any residence, which is not owned by the marijuana facility operator.
The Commissioners are scheduled to reconvene the public hearing on the Moratorium on February 3rd at 10 a.m.
For more information on the regulation of recreational marijuana businesses, please contact Heather Wolf.