Today: Marijuana Land Use Regulations Public Hearing

The clock is ticking down to the date when Washington State will begin considering applications for marijuana-related uses including production, processing, and retailing.

November 18 is the date the Washington State Liquor Control Board is expected to begin considering those applications, and the City of Tacoma plans to have its own rules in place by November 17, in order to deal with any Tacoma -based applications.

The City has developed a list of proposed interim land use regulations, which the public will have the opportunity to comment on at a public hearing scheduled for 5:30 pm, during today's City Council study session.  

Proposed amendments would create official definitions of marijuana uses - producer, processor, and retailer - in line with RCW definitions. Tacoma would also add Urban Horticulture as a new land use category to be allowed within intensive industrial districts under City land use rules. 

Other proposed amendments outline where specific marijuana uses would be prohibited, and where they would be allowed, creating a blotchy map that would look something like the preliminary map to the left.

Prohibited

All marijuana uses would be prohibited in residential and shoreline districts, as well as within 1,000 feet of public parks, playgrounds, recreational and community centers, libraries, childcare centers, schools, game arcades and public transit centers (pursuant to state rules).

Marijuana uses would also be prohibited from locating within 1,000 feet of correctional facilities, courthouses, or drug rehabilitation facilities, substance abuse facilities, or detoxification centers.

Allowed

Marijuana producers and processors would be allowed in intensive industrial zones.

Marijuana retailers would be allowed in most commercial, mixed-use, industrial, and downtown zoning districts.

Marijuana uses would be required to comply with additional development standards relating to odor control, drive-throughs, size and hours of operation limitations, signage and advertisement,and other applicable standards.

What do you think; does this cover it?

For more on the issue, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/planning and click on "recreational marijuana."