SEATTLE — Washington became the second U.S. state to adopt rules for the recreational sale of marijuana Wednesday, setting what advocates hope will become a template for the drug’s legalization around the world.
“We feel very proud of what we’re doing,” said Sharon Foster, chairwoman of the Washington Liquor Control Board, as she and her two colleagues approved the rules. “We are making history.”
Washington and Colorado last year legalized the possession of up to an ounce of pot by adults over 21, with voters deciding to set up systems of state-licensed growers, processors and sellers. The measures put state officials in the difficult position of crafting rules for a fledgling industry barred by federal law for more than seven decades.
Washington’s liquor board devised the rules after nearly a year of research, debate and planning. They cover everything from the security at and size of licensed marijuana gardens to how many pot stores can open in cities across the state. Sales are expected to begin by the middle of next year.
Colorado’s and Washington’s rules are largely similar, although Colorado will allow stores to sell both recreational and medical marijuana. Both states will require such measures as seed-to-store tracking, background checks for license applicants and child-resistant packaging.
