Four out of 22 shops in the state do far have been busted for selling to minors since the state Liquor Control Board announced its marijuana sting operation about a week ago.

None of those shops – the ones that passed and the ones that didn’t – are in Clark County.

Having visited all the shops in Clark County, I’d be surprised if any failed. All the stores, at least when I’ve been to them, have been very diligent about checking IDs. But I guess we’ll see as the sting continues.

It also looks like stores at our neighbors to the north in Longview have passed with flying colors.

The LCB release is below.

Cheers,
-SueVo (sue.vorenberg@columbian.com)

Marijuana compliance checks: 4 of 22 recreational marijuana stores sell to minors

OLYMPIA – Four Western Washington recreational retail marijuana businesses recently failed compliance checks conducted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB). Officers, working with underage investigative aides, checked 22 businesses for sales of marijuana to minors. The first checks represent an 82 percent no-sales-to-minors compliance rate.

The four businesses will be cited for selling marijuana to minors. The individuals who sold the marijuana will be referred to their respective prosecuting attorney’s office for potential criminal prosecution.

First Marijuana Compliance Checks

The WSLCB and local authorities regularly conduct compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol. The checks, conducted May 15-18 in Skagit, Snohomish, Kitsap, Pierce and Cowlitz Counties, were the first marijuana compliance checks. The checks followed a recent communication to all licensees that enforcement officers were beginning compliance checks and recommended best practices for avoiding an illegal sale.

Compliance checks are proven tools to reduce the sale of age-restricted products to minors. Investigative aides assist officers with compliance checks. These individuals are from 18 to 20 years old. They must either present their true identification or none at all if asked by a clerk.

Administrative Penalties

Liquor enforcement officers are empowered to issue Administrative Violation Notices to businesses that fail compliance checks. Fines or temporary license suspensions can be issued depending on the severity of the infraction or the frequency with which a business has been cited. Sales to minors are considered the most serious violations because they present a threat to public safety. Businesses cited for Sale to a Minor face a 10-day suspension or $2,500 fine. Businesses who receive three public safety violations within three years face license cancellation.

Businesses that sold marijuana to a minor:

-Mary Mart 3005 6th Avenue Ste. B (Tacoma)
-Emerald Leaves 2702 6th Avenue (Tacoma)
-Green City Collective 13601 Highway 99 Suite B (Everett)
-Purple Haze 4218 Rucker Ave. (Everett)

Businesses that did not sell marijuana to a minor:

-Westside 420 Recreational 4503 Ocean Beach Highway (Longview)
-Freedom Market 820A Westside Highway (Kelso)
-Localamster 1006 California Way (Longview)
-Longview Freedom Market 971 14th Avenue Suite 110 (Longview)
-420 Holiday 2028 10th Avenue (Longview)
-Diamond Green 4002 South 12th Street (Tacoma)
-Rainier Downtown 112 South 24th Street (Tacoma)
-Crockpot 1703 SE Sedgwick Road Suite 113 (Port Orchard)
-Greenway Marijuana 4851 Geiger Road SE (Port Orchard)
-420 Pot Shop 1374 SE Lund Avenue (Port Orchard)
-HWY 420 1110 Charleston Beach Road West (Bremerton)
-Kushmart 6309 Evergreen Way (Everett)
-Bud Hut 11603 Highway 99 (Everett)
-Herbal Nation 19302 Bothell Everett Highway (Bothell)
-High Times 1519 Highway 99 (Lynnwood)
-Euphorium Lynnwood 20925 Cypress Way Suite 104 (Lynnwood)
-Local Roots Marijuana 212 West Winesap Road Suite 101 (Bothell)
-High Society 8630 South March Point Road (Anacortes)

The WSLCB mission is to promote public safety and trust through fair administration and enforcement of liquor, tobacco and marijuana laws. Per 2015 legislation, on July 24, 2015, the agency will change its name to the Liquor and Cannabis Board. It will retain the WSLCB acronym.