pot

Regulating Recreational Pot In Colorado Vs. Washington State

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:59:07 +0000

Washington isn’t the only state that legalized marijuana for recreational use last fall. Colorado did it too. Now both states are in the process of trying something that’s never been done: regulating the growing, processing and selling of pot for recreational use.

Ross Reynolds compares the experience in the two states with Colorado Public Radio’s Ben Markus and KUOW’s Amy Radil.

For Regulators, Marijuana Legalization All About 'Getting Into The Weeds'

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:46:41 +0000

SEATTLE – When Washington voters legalized recreational marijuana last fall, they handed the state’s Liquor Control Board a regulatory nightmare. There’s no manual for how to create a safe and legal market for pot – something that’s never been done before.

State Representative Roger Goodman – speaking after a recent meeting on marijuana legalization – says the giggle factor is gone.

“Initiative 502 largely is about making marijuana boring.

Joint Size Matters When Gauging Marijuana Usage

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:22:52 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Predicting marijuana usage rates in Washington might come down to a test Cheech and Chong would appreciate: the size of the joint. So says one of the state’s new pot legalization consultants.

There’s a classic Cheech and Chong scene where they smoke a massive joint while driving down the road. Cheech says “Looks like a quarter pounder, man.”

Turns out the amount of marijuana rolled into a joint is critical to determining pot usage rates. Just ask Dr.

More Than 100 Pot Consulants Seek Washington Job

Amy Radil — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:13:02 +0000

The deadline for marijuana experts seeking work has closed in Washington state. All bids to help the state set up its legal marijuana system had to be submitted by 2:oo p.m. on February 15. State officials say the response was substantial.

Medical Marijuana Tax Proposed To Address Black Market Concerns

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:11:46 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Three powerful Democrats in the Washington state House are proposing a new 25 percent tax on medical marijuana. The measure introduced Thursday is designed to avoid an underground market for medicinal pot once recreational marijuana is legally sold in stores.

The top three sponsors of the proposed medical marijuana tax are heavy hitters in the Washington legislatures: the chairs of House budget, finance and government accountability committees.

Washington Lawmakers Hear Concerns on 'Gray' Market For Marijuana

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:05:11 +0000

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Card-holding medical marijuana patients would get protection from arrest under a proposal in the Washington legislature. But some industry insiders say it doesn’t go far enough. That was their message Monday at a state Senate hearing.

By the end of this year, the production and use of recreational marijuana in Washington will be regulated and taxed. That’s because of voter-approved Initiative 502.

'Gray' Market Concerns Grow As Washington Legalizes Pot

Austin Jenkins — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:09:55 +0000

As Washington moves to legalize marijuana, there are fresh concerns that a parallel market for pot will continue to flourish. It’s not quite a black market. Let’s call it a “grey” market – for medical marijuana. The question now: how will highly taxed and regulated pot compete with largely unregulated medical marijuana?

Green Solution is a medical marijuana dispensary southeast of Tacoma. The first thing you notice is the reflective blackout film on the doors and windows.

Potrepeneurs Visit Seattle

Ross Reynolds — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:57:58 +0000

Today investors from around the world are convening to discuss investments in cannabis-related products. The ArcView Group, a San Francisco investment consulting company, is hosting the meeting. And this time, the focus won't be on the growth and sale of marijuana. Instead, it's about all the other related products: lights for growing, portable cases for joints, etc. Ross talks to Roy Kaufman from ArcView for details.

Letter To Attorney General Urges Cooperation On Marijuana

Steve Jackson — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:00:04 +0000

A coalition of law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors and federal agents have signed a letter asking US Attorney general Eric Holder not to interfere with Washington and Colorado’s new legal marijuana laws.

The letter to Eric Holder was organized by the group Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, otherwise known as LEAP.

The communication asks Attorney General Holder to respect the will of the people of Washington and Colorado.

Inslee Says He Will Back Will Of Voters On Marijuana Legalization

Austin Jenkins — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:40:58 +0000

SEATTLE, Wash. – Washington Governor-elect Jay Inslee says states are the incubators of new ideas – and that should extend to marijuana legalization. Inslee Wednesday said he’s hopeful Washington’s new recreational pot law can take effect without federal interference.

Inslee didn’t support Washington’s marijuana legalization initiative.