As was expected, the Washington State Liquor Control Board on Wednesday formally approved the proposed rules for governing the sale, production and processing of legal weed in Washington. According to the press release, the document detailing the proposed rules is 42 pages, single-spaced.

“Public safety is our top priority,” Liquor Control Board Chair Sharon Foster says in the press release. “These rules fulfill the public expectation of creating a tightly-regulated and controlled system while providing reasonable access to participation in the market.”

Take from said press release, are some of the highlights:

Key Public Safety Elements

Public safety is the top priority of the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

All grows must meet strictly controlled on-site security requirements;

Strict surveillance and transportation requirements;

Robust traceability software system that will track inventory from start to sale;

Criminal background checks on all license applicants;

Tough penalty guidelines for public safety violations including loss of license;

Restricting certain advertising that may be targeted at children.

Key Consumer Safety Elements

The proposed rules provide a heightened level of consumer safety that has not existed previously.

Packaging and label requirements including dosage and warnings;

Child-resistant packaging for marijuana in solid and liquid forms;

Only lab tested and approved products will be available;

Defined serving sizes and package limits on marijuana in solid form;

Store signage requirements to educate customers.

According to the Liquor Control Board, the proposed rules will now go through a set of four public hearings, from Aug. 6-8, with one in the Seattle area, along with similar meetings in Spokane, Ellensburg and Olympia. If all goes as planned, the rules will then be adopted Aug. 14 and be effective on Sept. 16 – the same day a 30-day window will open for license applications. Law requires the rules to be complete by Dec. 1, with licenses for retailers, producers and processors set to start being issued in December and January.

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