Wash. Admin. Code § 314-55-050 - Withdrawal, denial, suspension, or cancellation of a cannabis license application or license

(1) The board has the discretion to withdraw, deny, suspend, or cancel a cannabis license application or license consistent with RCW 69.50.331, for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Not meeting the initial or ongoing qualifications, requirements, or both for a specific cannabis license, as outlined in this chapter and chapter 69.50 RCW;

(b) Not submitting information or documentation requested by the board during the application evaluation process;

(c) Misrepresenting fact, or not disclosing a material fact to the board during the application process or any review or follow-up review that may occur after a license has been issued;

(d) Not meeting the background check standards outlined in WAC 314-55-040;

(e) Not meeting the cannabis law or rule violation history standards outlined in WAC 314-55-045;

(f) Using funds that cannot be verified for the acquisition, startup and operation of the business, or obtained in a way that violates the law;

(g) Not allowing the board or its authorized representative access to any place where a licensed activity takes place;

(h) Not producing any book, record or document required by law or board rule;

(i) The applicant or licensee has had a cannabis license or medical cannabis license denied, suspended, or canceled in another state or local jurisdiction;

(j) The city, county, tribal government, or port authority has submitted a substantiated objection to the application or against the premises for which the new or renewed license is requested, as described in RCW 69.50.331(7) and (10).

(k) The applicant or licensee has not paid taxes or fees required under chapter 69.50 RCW or did not provide production, processing, inventory, sales and transportation reports or documentation required under this chapter.

(l) The applicant or licensee did not submit an attestation that they are current in any tax obligations to the Washington state department of revenue.

(m) The applicant or licensee has been denied a liquor or cannabis license or had a liquor license or cannabis license suspended or revoked in this or any other state.

(n) The operating plan submitted with the application does not demonstrate that the applicant meets the criteria for licensure.

(o) The applicant or licensee does not operate their business consistent with the operating plan approved by the board.

(p) The board determines the issuance of the license will not be in the best interest of the welfare, health, or safety of the people of the state.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the board will not issue a new cannabis license if the proposed licensed business is within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of the grounds of any of the facilities listed in (a) through (h) of this subsection. The distance will be measured as the shortest straight line distance from the property line of the proposed building or business location to the property line of the entities listed below:

(a) Elementary or secondary school;

(b) Playground;

(c) Recreation center or facility;

(d) Child care center;

(e) Public park;

(f) Public transit center;

(g) Library; or

(h) Any game arcade (where admission is not restricted to persons age 21 or older).

(3)

(a) A city or county may, by local ordinance, permit cannabis businesses licensing within 1,000 feet but not less than 100 feet of the facilities listed in subsection (2) of this section except elementary and secondary schools, and playgrounds.

(b) If an applicant applies for a cannabis license at a location less than 1,000 feet of a recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade, the applicant must provide the WSLCB with a copy of the local ordinance that describes the distance required by the city or county where the facility will be located.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 314-55-050

Amended by WSR 14-06-108, filed 3/5/14, effective 4/5/2014 Amended by WSR 16-11-110, Filed 5/18/2016, effective 6/18/2016 Amended by WSR 18-22-055, Filed 10/31/2018, effective 12/1/2018 Amended by WSR 22-21-058, Filed 10/12/2022, effective 11/12/2022

Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.331, 69.50.342, 69.50.345. WSR 13-21-104, § 314-55-050, filed 10/21/13, effective 11/21/13. WSR 13-21-003, § 314-55-050, filed 10/3/2013, effective 11/3/2013