Spokane Valley officials consider prohibiting new marijuana businesses

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held a slightly unusual study session last month, when many of its members boarded a small bus to tour marijuana businesses in Spokane Valley.

The informal tour was planned to show commissioners the many different types of marijuana businesses that exist in Spokane Valley and took a couple of hours.

Planning commissioners visited a growth facility in a large, anonymous warehouse and a retail shop, and drove by a processing facility.

On Thursday, the commission will examine a code amendment that would prohibit the issuance of any new marijuana licenses in Spokane Valley.

“This is part of our standard planning process,” said Deputy City Attorney Erik Lamb.

Thursday’s hearing comes after much debate on the commission and lots of public input, Lamb said.

If the city adopts a permanent moratorium on new marijuana business licenses, that means no new co-ops can be established, and no new state licensed shops, processing facilities or growth operations can open in Spokane Valley.

“This would not change anything for existing shops or businesses,” Lamb said.

The moratorium also prevents commercial growers and processors from expanding.

When a recreational marijuana shop recently opened in downtown Spokane, it drew criticism from some nearby churches.

Lamb said Spokane Valley doesn’t have rules that prevent shops near places of worship, but it does prevent shops near vacant land owned by the city or school and library districts.

“The City Council didn’t want a shop to open up next to a place where a school could be built,” Lamb said.

According to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board website, state regulations forbid marijuana businesses within 1,000 feet of many sensitive areas, including any elementary or secondary school, child care center, public park or transit center, or game arcade that allows minors to enter.

If anyone applies for a license within these areas, local authorities will be notified.

“The state does all that regulation,” Lamb said. “We don’t have a say in that.”

Once the Planning Commission approves the marijuana regulations, they will move on to the City Council for more discussion and final approval.

“We encourage people to show up and share their opinions,” Lamb said. “We love public participation.”