Chapter 11.132
MARIJUANA REGULATION
Sections:
11.132.040 Environmental performance standards.
11.132.050 Collective gardens.
11.132.060 Medical marijuana cooperatives.
11.132.080 Marijuana development requirements.
11.132.090 Measurement of distances.
11.132.110 Violations – Penalty.
11.132.010 Intent.
Pursuant to RCW Title 69 and the requirements of Chapter 314-55 WAC, the state has adopted rules establishing a state-wide regulatory and licensing program for medical and recreational marijuana uses. It is the intent of these regulations to ensure that such state-licensed uses are located and developed in a manner that is consistent with the desired character and standards of this community and its neighborhoods, minimizes potential incompatibilities and impacts, and protects the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Ritzville. Recognizing the voter approved right to establish certain types of medical marijuana operations and recreational marijuana businesses, it is also the intent of these regulations to provide reasonable access to mitigate the illicit marijuana market and the legal and personal risks and community impacts associated with it. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.020 Applicability.
The specific development standards provided in this chapter shall be in addition to the zoning and development standards generally applicable to the proposed use and the relevant zoning district.
A. No use that purports to be a recreational marijuana producer, processor, or retailer, as defined and regulated herein and in Chapter 314-55 WAC, that was engaged in that activity prior to the enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be deemed to have been a legally established use or entitled to claim legal nonconforming status.
B. For purposes of this chapter and the standards applicable to state-licensed recreational/medicinal marijuana uses, the terms and definitions provided in RCW Title 69 and Chapter 314-55 WAC shall generally apply unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.030 Definitions.
All definitions used in this chapter shall be established as follows:
“Designated provider” means a person who is 21 years of age or older and:
1. a. Is the parent or guardian of a qualifying patient who is under the age of 18 and beginning July 1, 2016, holds a recognition card; or
b. Has been designated in writing by a qualifying patient to serve as the designated provider for that patient;
2. a. Has an authorization from the qualifying patient’s health care professional; or
b. Beginning July 1, 2016:
i. Has been entered into the medical marijuana authorization database as being the designated provider to a qualifying patient; and
ii. Has been provided a recognition card;
3. Is prohibited from consuming marijuana obtained for the personal, medical use of the qualifying patient for whom the individual is acting as designated provider;
4. Provides marijuana to only the qualifying patient that has designated him or her;
5. Is in compliance with the terms and conditions of this chapter; and
6. Is the designated provider to only one patient at any one time.
“Indoors” means within a fully enclosed and secure structure that complies with the International Building Code as adopted by the city of Ritzville that has a complete roof enclosure supported by connecting walls extending from the ground to the roof, and a foundation slab or equivalent base to which the floor is securely attached. The structure must be secure against unauthorized entry, accessible only through two or more lockable doors, and constructed of solid materials that cannot be easily broken through. Plastic sheeting, regardless of gauge, or similar products do not satisfy this requirement.
“Marijuana” or “marihuana” means all parts of the plant cannabis, whether growing or not, with a THC concentration greater than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin. The term does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination.
“Marijuana-infused products” means products that contain marijuana or marijuana extracts, are intended for human use, are derived from marijuana as defined above, and have a THC concentration no greater than 10 percent. The term “marijuana-infused products” does not include either usable marijuana or marijuana concentrates.
“Marijuana processor” means a person licensed by the State Liquor and Cannabis Board to process marijuana into marijuana concentrates, usable marijuana and marijuana-infused products, package and label concentrates, usable marijuana and marijuana-infused products for the sale in retail outlets, and sell concentrates, usable marijuana and marijuana-infused products at wholesale to marijuana retailers.
“Marijuana producer” means a person licensed by the State Liquor and Cannabis Board to produce and sell marijuana at wholesale to marijuana processors and other licensed marijuana producers.
Marijuana Production, Processing and Retail Sales. As used in this chapter any reference to marijuana production, processing and retail sales shall refer to both recreational and medical marijuana production, processing and retail sales.
“Marijuana retailer” means a person licensed by the State Liquor and Cannabis Board to sell marijuana concentrates, usable marijuana and marijuana-infused products in a retail outlet.
“Outdoors” means any location that is not “indoors” within a fully enclosed and secure structure as defined herein.
“Production” includes the planting, growing, harvesting, drying or processing of marijuana plants or any part thereof.
“Qualifying patient” means a person who:
1. a. Is a patient of a health care professional;
b. Has been diagnosed by that health care professional as having a terminal or debilitating medical condition;
c. Is a resident of the state of Washington at the time of such diagnosis;
d. Has been advised by that health care professional about the risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana;
e. Has been advised by that health care professional that they may benefit from the medical use of marijuana;
f. i. Has an authorization from his or her health care professional; or
ii. Beginning July 1, 2016, has been entered into the medical marijuana authorization database and has been provided a recognition card; and
g. Is otherwise in compliance with the terms and conditions established in this chapter.
2. “Qualifying patient” does not include a person who is actively being supervised for a criminal conviction by a corrections agency or department that has determined that the terms of this chapter are inconsistent with and contrary to his or her supervision and all related processes and procedures related to that supervision.
“Recognition card” means a card issued to qualifying patients and designated providers by a marijuana retailer with a medical marijuana endorsement that has entered them into the medical marijuana authorization database.
“Usable marijuana” means dried marijuana flowers. The term “usable marijuana” does not include marijuana-infused products or marijuana concentrates. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.040 Environmental performance standards.
Failure of the enforcing officer to require such information shall not be construed as relieving the operator and/or the proprietor from compliance with the environmental performance standards of this title.
Marijuana producers, processors, and retail sales shall incorporate odor control technology and provisions to ensure that emissions do not exceed Washington Clean Air Act regulations as contained in Chapter 70.94 RCW. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.050 Collective gardens.
No collective gardens shall be permitted in any zoning district in the city of Ritzville. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.060 Medical marijuana cooperatives.
A. No more than four qualifying patients or designated providers may become members of a cooperative under this section and all members must hold valid recognition cards. All members of the cooperative must be at least 21 years old. The designated provider of a qualifying patient who is under 21 years old may be a member of a cooperative on the qualifying patient’s behalf.
B. No person shall engage in a medical marijuana cooperative without first having obtained from the city a valid and current registration authorizing such person to engage in operation. This registration shall be in addition to any other registrations or permits required by state or federal laws. Such registration is nontransferable.
C. Cooperatives shall not be located within one mile of a marijuana retailer.
D. No cooperative shall be permitted within 1,000 feet of any other medical marijuana cooperative.
E. Only one cooperative is permitted on any one site.
F. No cooperative shall be permitted within 1,000 feet of any public parks, playgrounds, recreation/community centers, libraries, child care centers, schools, game arcades and public transit centers.
G. The location of the cooperative shall be the domicile of one of the participants.
H. The qualifying patients or designated providers of any cooperative shall not grow more than the maximum of 60 plants or possess more than 72 ounces of usable marijuana.
I. The cultivation and processing of medical marijuana shall not be readily seen by normal unaided vision or readily smelled from a public place or the private property of another housing unit.
J. Must meet all other development requirements. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.070 Marijuana buffers.
A. Marijuana producers, marijuana processors, and marijuana retailers, shall not be allowed to locate within 1,000 feet of playgrounds, elementary schools, or secondary schools.
B. The city finds that, in the best interest of the citizens, a buffer of 500 feet be established from any residential zone adjacent to an approved zone for any marijuana producers, marijuana processors, and marijuana retailers.
C. The city finds that the reduction in buffers for public parks, recreation/community centers, libraries, child care centers, game arcades, and public transit centers will not negatively impact the city’s civil regulatory enforcement, criminal law enforcement interests, public safety, or public health. Therefore, the city establishes the following buffers for marijuana producers, marijuana processors, and marijuana retailers:
1. Public parks – 500 feet.
2. Recreation or community centers – 500 feet.
3. Libraries – 500 feet.
4. Child care centers – 500 feet.
5. Game arcades – 500 feet.
6. Public transit centers – 100 feet.
7. Museums – 500 feet.
8. Golf course – 500 feet.
D. For purposes of these standards, these uses are defined in Chapter 314-55 WAC. The methodology for measuring the buffers shall be as provided in Chapter 314-55 WAC. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of the proposed state-licensed marijuana use to demonstrate and ensure that a proposed location is not within one of the buffers. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.080 Marijuana development requirements.
A. Marijuana processors, producers and marijuana retailers shall only be permitted as allowed under Chapter 69.50 RCW and Chapter 314-55 WAC and shall only be operated by persons or entities holding a valid marijuana license from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board issued under Chapter 314- 55 WAC and any other applicable state laws and regulations.
B. Marijuana processors, producers and marijuana retailers shall only be allowed within the city of Ritzville municipal boundaries if appropriately licensed by the state of Washington and in possession of a current business license issued by the city of Ritzville, and operated consistent with the requirements of the state and all applicable city ordinances, rules, requirements, and standards.
C. Marijuana processors, producers and marijuana retailers shall be the primary use at a location, and shall only be allowed within the city of Ritzville in those zoning districts where it is specifically identified as an allowed use.
1. Marijuana retailers shall only be allowed in the commercial (C-3) zones defined and identified in this title.
2. Marijuana producers and processors shall only be allowed in the commercial (C-1, C-2) and industrial zones defined and identified in this title.
D. The production, processing, selling, or delivery of recreational marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or usable marijuana may not be conducted alone or in association with any business establishments, dwelling units or home occupation located in any of the following zoning districts in the city of Ritzville: all residential zones (R-1, R-2, and R-3) defined and identified in this title.
E. Marijuana processing facilities shall be designed to include controls and features to prevent odors from traveling off site and being detected from a public place, the public right-of-way or properties owned or leased by another person or entity.
F. Marijuana retailers shall not include drive-thru, exterior, or off-site sales. Marijuana retailers shall not be located in a mobile or temporary structure.
G. In accordance with WAC 314-55-147, marijuana retail sales shall not be open to the public between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
H. Signage for marijuana processing and retail businesses shall be subject to the requirements of WAC 314-55-155. No off-premises signage is permitted.
I. Displays against or adjacent to exterior windows shall not include marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia.
J. An existing nonconforming use located within a zoning district that would otherwise not permit marijuana uses, such as an old convenience store in a residential district, shall not be allowed to convert to a marijuana use.
K. Marijuana processors and marijuana retailers shall connect to all city of Ritzville utilities and pay all applicable system development costs, connections fees and charges as established by the city fee schedule.
L. Marijuana processing and marijuana retail sales are not permitted as a home occupation under this title.
M. Retail marijuana sales may not be located within any other businesses and may only be located in buildings with other uses only if the marijuana business is separated by full walls and with a separate entrance. No more than one marijuana retail business shall be located on a single parcel.
N. Marijuana processing and marijuana retail sales are subject to all applicable requirements of RCW Title 69 and Chapter 314-55 WAC and other state statutes as they now exist or may be amended.
O. Marijuana processing and retail sales must take place within fully enclosed secure indoor facilities.
P. No marijuana processing or delivery of marijuana shall be visible to the public nor may it be visible through windows. A screened and secured loading dock, approved by the building official, shall be required. The objective of this requirement is to provide a secure, visual screen from the public right-of-way and adjoining properties, and prevent the escape of product when delivering or transferring marijuana, usable marijuana and marijuana-infused products.
Q. All marijuana processors and retailers shall allow inspection of the site and facilities by city personnel including law enforcement for compliance with all applicable state and local permits and licenses at any time during regular business hours.
R. An application for a marijuana business shall include the following information in addition to any application requirements required by the underlying zone:
1. The application shall be made by:
a. A marijuana State Liquor and Cannabis Board licensee; or
b. An applicant for a State Liquor and Cannabis Board marijuana license.
2. The application shall include a copy of the state-issued license or a copy of the license application on file with the State Liquor and Cannabis Board. A city business license shall not be issued for a marijuana business unless the applicant is a State Liquor and Cannabis Board marijuana licensee;
3. A map drawn to scale by a Washington licensed surveyor showing that the proposed marijuana business is in compliance with the applicable buffers under RCW 69.50.331, WAC 314-55-050, and local ordinances.
S. A recreational marijuana business shall meet all security requirements as required by WAC 314-55-083 and shall provide proof of such operational security system prior to issuance of a city business license. In addition to the security requirements in Chapter 314-55 WAC, during nonbusiness hours, all marijuana producers, processors, and retailers shall store all usable marijuana and marijuana-infused product and cash in a safe or in a substantially constructed and locked cabinet. The safe or cabinet shall be incorporated into the building structure or securely attached thereto. For usable marijuana products that must be kept refrigerated or frozen, these products may be stored in a locked refrigerator or freezer container in a manner approved by the health department.
T. All fertilizers, chemicals, gases and hazardous materials shall be handled in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. No fertilizers, chemicals, gases, or hazardous materials shall be allowed to enter a sanitary sewer or storm sewer system, nor be released into atmosphere outside of the structure where the business is located. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.090 Measurement of distances.
Any distance described in this chapter shall be computed by direct measurement as stated in WAC 314-55-050(10) as follows: the distance shall be measured as the shortest straight line distance between the property lines of the mentioned uses. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.100 Nuisance declared.
Any violation of this chapter is declared to be a public nuisance per se, and shall be abated by the city attorney under applicable provisions of this code or state law, including, but not limited to, the provisions of Chapter 3.36 RCC. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).
11.132.110 Violations – Penalty.
In addition to other remedies provided for in this chapter, any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a civil infraction. (Ord. 2105 § 1, 2017).