A Seattle investment group headed by metro-area activist Marcus Charles has retained Vicki Christophersen to monitor activities at the Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) as it formulates rules for implementation of I-502. The state’s new recreational cannabis use law received 56% statewide approval in the last general election.

A Cannabis Caucus Would Be Helpful

Christophersen said she will also participate in any action of the Legislature to amend either the recreational use law or the medical marijuana (MMJ) statute. Acknowledging that working together will be one of the first challenges for the diverse cannabis lobbying corps, Christophersen said she is familiar with the other lobbyists and consultants who have been retained to work the issue. Seven veteran lobbyists now have been signed to represent clients during the 2013 session.

Locally Grown

The investment group was listed as Christopersen’s “employer” and is described as a “group of Seattle area business people who are very interested in supporting provisions (in new rules and laws) that require Washington’s cannabis business to be strictly local Washington product.” Eighteen states have some form of MMJ law that allows the growing and production of cannabis. Charles has a history of supporting locally grown products:  One of his Seattle restaurants advances sustainability practices and uses mostly food grown or produced within 360 miles of the venue.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, the same day that Governor Inslee and Attorney General Ferguson will meet with US Attorney General Holder, work on the new cannabis rules will start in earnest with the first public meeting of the LCB on the state’s historic and unprecedented governmental “farm to user” recreational-use business.

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