Earlier today Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn signed an ordinance to create legal pot zoning in the city. This was the last day he could sign or veto the legislation—everything is last minute in pot-loving Seattle—and the mayor pondered the decision at length because he disapproves of a clause that requires medical cannabis dispensaries to shut down if our action-oriented state legislature doesn't create a special license for them next year.

"If the State Legislature does not specifically address medical marijuana in the next session, this ordinance could force the wholesale closure of many providers on January 1, 2015, and substantially restrict Seattle residents' access to medical marijuana," the mayor wrote in a letter to the council.

Mayor's Office spokesman Robert Cruickshank told me earlier this week that the mayor was actively talking with many different stakeholders, from patients to the Port to the Liquor Control Board. "We've heard a range of opinions from a lot of people on this one," he said.

In the end, the mayor felt it important to move forward with legal pot zoning regulations, and that the city council has time to reconsider the medical pot shop requirements if the state legislature fails to act.

"As I-502 is implemented, the City should also work to ensure that medical marijuana remains safe, accessible and affordable to those in need," McGinn wrote.