Tacoma, WA Will Shut Down Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in 2015

Although Washington state was one of the first states to legalize medical marijuana, and was one of the first two states to legalize recreational use of marijuana, the city of Tacoma may soon shut down all of its medical marijuana dispensaries.

Reportedly, the city’s leaders planned to send out letters in the first week of December to all medical marijuana dispensaries in the area that they would have to cease operations by January 2015. Tacoma officials stated that the dispensaries are not licensed under Initiative 502 – the law allowing recreational use of marijuana.

“Ultimately, with these collective gardens, we respect the work that they’ve done and the work that went into this process, but there’s just such legal ambiguity and another concern is that there’s such a proliferation or concentration of these stores in certain neighborhoods,” said Tacoma City Council Member Anders Ibsen.

Closing medical marijuana dispensaries is distressing for patients with chronic pain in the city. If the medical dispensaries are shut down, only recreational dispensaries will remain, which is not good for patients who want to ease chronic pain from illness, or regulate their appetite, not get high.

“There are days I could not cut hair if I didn’t have this to rub on my feet, my joints and my hands because I have severe arthritis,” said Susan Fairchild, who uses medical marijuana strictly to treat her joint pain, not to get high.

“I will not go to a recreational pot shop,” said Fairchild. “There’s a big difference. It’s like going to a liquor store to get Isopropyl alcohol.”

“I’m ready to fire a shot across the bow and tell the illegal operations that it’s time to stop,” said Tacoma Councilmember Lauren Walker at the last city council meeting.

Much of the concern in Tacoma stems from tax regulation differences between medical marijuana dispensaries and those for recreational use. Unlicensed marijuana stores don’t pay the same taxes licensed ones do, nor are they subject to strict quality control under the recreational guidelines. According to current city and state law, the City of Tacoma can allow unlicensed medical marijuana shops to open, and the city currently has 5, according to the council. Tacoma could allow up to 3 more.

“You have people who have gone through the rules of trying to establish a legitimate business and they are being undercut by people doing illegitimate business,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland.

“We do not have the type of regulatory guidance that the state deserved to give us, and now we are left to make sure our community isn’t burned by this,” said Councilman Robert Thoms.

If You Face Marijuana Charges, Including for Medical Marijuana Use Charges, The Strom Law Firm Can Help

Although many states have passed medical marijuana legislation, South Carolina still has not legalized the use of marijuana for recreational or medical reasons. You could be charged with drug possession. If you or a loved one have been found with medical marijuana, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for medical marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800