Pierce County Asks for a Re-Vote on Legal Marijuana

Pierce County Asks for a Re-Vote on Legal Marijuana

     Last week the Pierce County Council voted 4 to 3 to lift the ban on recreational marijuana businesses in unincorporated Pierce County. Finally, after 55% of Pierce County residents voted to legalize marijuana in 2012, the people’s voice would be heard. The medical marijuana patients who will soon rely on the I-502 system would have safe and affordable access as promised by the Washington State Legislature in 2015. The so called “black market” would close its doors, and all the crooks selling marijuana would magically go away, as the politicians proudly promised. But, Wait! Hold on!  

       Councilwoman Joyce McDonald, and the rest of the Republicans on the Council, had to have one more vote. After the ban resolution passed, an amendment was passed on party lines, 4 to 3, to have an “advisory vote” in April of 2016. It is simply a re-do of the 2012 I-502 vote. The Tacoma News Tribune reports this vote will cost upwards of $400,000. However, the vote is non-binding. So in fact, it is only a very very expensive poll. This while an estimated 80 so called “unregulated medical marijuana shops” are still operating in the county. These will have to be shut down by July 1, 2016. The big question remains “Will the Council get this sorted out in order for medical marijuana patients to have access after July 1?” And, if they don’t. “What will happen to medical marijuana patients do if they cannot access there medicine?”