County council expected to put moratorium on new pot businesses

The Metropolitan King County Council will hear public testimony and possibly act on legislation impacting zoning for the production, processing and sale of legal marijuana in unincorporated King County at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the King County Courthouse.

The Metropolitan King County Council will hear public testimony and possibly act on legislation impacting zoning for the production, processing and sale of legal marijuana in unincorporated King County at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the King County Courthouse.

The council is expected to pass a moratorium on all new marijuana businesses.

In 2013, the King County Council adopted initial zoning regulations governing the production, processing and sale of legalized marijuana in unincorporated King County. Since adoption of these initial zoning regulations, King County has received and processed numerous applications for marijuana-related land uses.

Some residents have expressed concerns regarding the existing regulations for marijuana production, processing and retailing. In order to review these concerns in rural areas, as well as consider an Executive proposal to regulate clustering of retail locations, the King County Council voted to pass a four-month moratorium on the acceptance of applications for or the establishment or location of new marijuana producers, processors and retailers on April 25, 2016.

After two special meetings of the Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee, Councilmembers are scheduled to discuss and possibly act on two ordinances, 2016-0236 and 2016-0254, that would amend current marijuana regulations in unincorporated King County.

The King County Courthouse is located at 516 Third Ave., Seattle.