What can we expect walking into a pot shop for the first time?

On May 16 the Washington State Liquor Control Board released their initial draft of rules for I-502 implementation, the framework for legalization of recreational marijuana. Much of the information is reserved for those interested in becoming part of the system – from growing to processing to retailing, but the rules also give end-users an idea of what they might see upon walking into a retail marijuana shop for the first time (which is expected to happen around the turn into 2014.)

From seed to purchase, there is a sea of regulations on record keeping, labeling, security and precise guidelines on the growth, quality testing, processing and transport of marijuana before it reaches a retail outlet. For those interested in reading about the system in depth, they are available online at https://lcb.box.com/initial-draft-rules. A good summary is also available from Seattle Times reporter Bob Young, found here.

The WSLCB is taking recommendations on the draft rules until June 10 and is expected to release finalized rules later that month.