The Washington State Liquor Control Board (“LCB”) recently proposed a new set of rules that would raise the state marijuana production cap to eight and one half million square feet. Currently, state wide marijuana production is limited to two million square feet.
Presumably, this new rule is being proposed in anticipation of the new state legislation that is proposed to bring the illegal medical marijuana market into the I502 fold. The question is whether the LCB will allow currently licensees to expand their marijuana production or open up a new licensing window to bring in new licensees to meet market demand.
The LCB’s proposed rules also include restrictions on consulting services and processing activities. The proposed rules can be found here. A public hearing on the proposed rules is scheduled for May 6.
Stay tuned for more information on legislation affecting medical marijuana as well as expansion of the I502 marijuana licensing system.
For more information on the regulation of recreational marijuana businesses in Washington State, please contact Heather Wolf.