Why it matters: The city of Pasco, Washington has lifted its ten-year ban on cannabis retailers, becoming the first among the so-called “Tri-Cities,” a metro area in eastern Washington comprising three communities that border one another.
What they are saying: The city council voted 5-3 in favor of zoning changes that will lift the ban. An estimate shows cannabis retailers could bring in at least $200,000 a year in revenue for Pasco, said Interim City Manager Adam Lincoln.
The big picture: Although Washington became one of the first two states in the country to legalize recreational cannabis for adults back in 2012, some countries and cities opted out of the new law in Washington, voting instead to ban retail cannabis sales within their jurisdiction. But over the years, as legalization has spread nationwide, some residents in those communities began to have second thoughts.
What to watch: The current draft ordinance does limit the number of potential cannabis retail facilities to three (3) stores with up to four (4) stores total as long as one is a “social equity licensee.” This is reflective of the current number of licenses available for the City of Pasco and Franklin County generally that the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board has allotted.
Give your take: As more and more states legalize cannabis, communities are reconsidering their bans in order to reap the benefits of new revenue streams. It will be interesting to see how this trend continues to play out in the coming years.
