Some marijuana business information would be restricted

OLYMPIA – The public would not be able to see some information that marijuana businesses must file with the state to obtain licenses under a pair of bills approved Monday.

The Senate and House overwhelmingly passed legislation that would exempt certain financial information, account numbers, security plans and driver routes from the state’s public disclosure laws. Almost all information filed by those seeking a marijuana business license is now available under a public records request.

Marijuana business owners initially had asked for more information to be withheld from the public but negotiators scaled back their request. Sen. Ann Rivers, R-Vancouver, the sponsor of the Senate bill, said the compromise focuses on information that creates a public safety hazard.

One of the few House members voting against that chamber’s version, Kennewick Republican Brad Klippert, argued the Legislature is acting like marijuana is safe when it’s still illegal under federal law. “This drug is a hallucinogen, Mr. Speaker,” he said.

The bills have some minor differences, so sponsors will have to decide which will be submitted for a final vote.