Retail marijuana stores first opened in Everett back in 2013
EMC 19.39.145.B.13 limits the number of retail marijuana stores in the city to five.
In the late winter and spring of 2020, the Public Safety Committee of the City Council reviewed information related to tax revenues generated by retail marijuana stores, calls for police service for retail stores in comparison to other types of businesses, and the current regulations for where retail marijuana stores can be located. The Public Safety Subcommittee asked staff to bring forward an ordinance allowing the number of permitted stores to be increased to not more than eight, and requiring that any retail store hereafter established be certified by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board as a medical marijuana provider. The City Council held the following briefings on this issue before delaying action due to COVID19:
• 2/12/20 – Briefing and lst reading of ordinance
• 2/19/20 – 2nd reading of ordinance (no comments)
• 3/11/20 – 2nd reading of ordinance (some citizen comments)
• 3/18/20 – 2nd reading of ordinance {discussion about postponing the public hearing and 3rd and final reading until a later date and council resumes normal council meetings)
After the February 19th meeting, an alternative ordinance was sent to council – without any recommendation, that would reduce the minimum required separation between retail marijuana stores from 2,500 feet to 500 feet.
We are providing two ordinance options for the City Council to consider:
1. Option 1. An ordinance increasing the number of retail marijuana stores to eight with a requirement that they are a medical marijuana provider. {Original Ordinance)
2. Option 2. An ordinance increasing the number of retail marijuana stores to eight with a requirement that they are a medical marijuana provider and reducing the minimum separation distance between retail marijuana stores from 2,500 feet to 500 feet.
You can see the proposed ordinance and administration recommendation here.
September 21, 2020
Everett Government