Marijuana applications increase in Grant County
CBH Columbia Basin Herald Local News
GRANT COUNTY - More applicants have joined the most recent list of potential producers, processors and sellers of recreational marijuana in Grant County.
The state Liquor Control Board on Tuesday released an updated list of potential licensees across the state.
Through Dec. 3, the board received 11 growing, eight processing and seven retail store license applications from Grant County.
In the initial list released Nov. 26, the board had received nine growing, six processing and four retail license applications.
The list of retail applicants in Moses Lake continues to increase, now with six license applications received since the application window was opened Nov. 18.
According to a zoning map for potential retail locations in the Moses Lake city limits, just two of the six retail business locations included in the applications are within zoning areas that would allow marijuana retailers. They are both along Patton Boulevard near Aspi Boulevard.
The four other possible locations included in the applications do not sit in zoning areas that would allow for marijuana retail. The zoning map designed also includes the 1,000-foot buffer from schools and parks, where marijuana businesses are not allowed by state law.
If a license for marijuana processing or resale is approved in any city, a business license would also be required, similar to establishments that sell liquor. There are no possible locations for growing marijuana in city limits because of the 1,000 buffer zones, according to a previous story from the Columbia Basin Herald.
Statewide, the Liquor Control Board received 1,329 applications through Dec. 3, with 636 for growers, 462, for processing and 231 for retail stores.
There is no limit on the number of grower and processor licenses, but the board has limited the number of retail sales licenses to 334 statewide, including seven in Grant County.
The application deadline for recreation marijuana business licenses is Dec. 19 and no other application windows are planned at this time.