Last week, the Washington State Liquor Control Board filed updated draft rules with the state code reviser for the legal cultivation and sale of cannabis. The rules are more thorough than a previous draft released by the board in May, and here are some of the changes.
Outdoor Farms: Directly contradicting the first draft, the new rules allow for outdoor production, so expect Eastern Washington sun-grown cannabis to be cheaper than the high-end indoor varieties that require expensive artificial lighting and electricity.
Organic: The only fertilizers, nutrients, and pesticides allowed must be approved for use in organic production under federal standards. But those products may not be labeled organic unless federal rules allow it.
Landlords: The board nixed a controversial proposal that would have required landlords to sign an affidavit admitting to federal law violations.
Hash Ban Relaxed: Hash and hash oil would be sold in retail outlets, but only if first adulterated with a minute amount of non-pot additive, like glycerin, ethanol, or propylene glycol. This is due to the liquor board's quirky interpretation of the law—specifically the verb "contain"—so that extracts of marijuana do not "contain" marijuana unless they are mixed with something other than marijuana.
Hours: Legal pot may be purchased between 8 a.m. and midnight, four hours less than alcohol. Chris Marr, one of the liquor board's three members, said the decision bows to pressure from members of the drug-prevention community and will adversely affect cities with a thriving nightlife scene, such as Seattle. "Is the sale of marijuana at 1 a.m. as much of a public safety threat as the sale of alcohol at 1 a.m.?" Marr asked.
Plant Destruction: All licensees who violate the rules will be fined. But pot growers who violate the rules a second or third time will have 25 to 50 percent of their crops destroyed. This is intended to affect small and large growers equally, where a seemingly steep monetary fine may be overlooked by large growers.
Zoning Definitions: Pot businesses must be 1,000 feet from eight types of property, such as recreation centers and game arcades, but the definitions of those terms were a bit murky. Following specific suggestions from Seattle city attorney Pete Holmes, the liquor board clarified these definitions.
On the whole, the rules are informed and thorough. The liquor board is accepting public comment through July 31—the easiest way to comment is to e-mail rules@liq.wa.gov. The board is scheduled to adopt final rules on August 14, start accepting license applications on September 16, and launch the entire legal pot system on December 1. 
