Washington State Seeks Experts On How To Develop Pot Industry; L - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Washington State Seeks Experts On How To Develop Pot Industry; Legal On Thursday

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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - State officials tasked with developing a legal marijuana industry in Washington state have a problem: There's no similar system anywhere in the world that they can look to for guidance.
    
The state's Liquor Control Board also says it has little insight into how to develop the basics, such as how much acreage the state will need to develop sufficient supply and how retail stores should be regulated. They are looking to solicit bids from experts from around the country while at the same time taking a lot of unsolicited phone calls from those who want help.
    
State leaders are moving ahead with developing the system even as they await word of whether the federal government will oppose it. Several state agencies have been forming teams that will look at issues such as licensing, legal matters, enforcement and education.

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KHQ.COM - Marijuana is legal in Washington on Dec. 6, but the new state law gives no protection from workplace drug policies. Many employers will continue to rely on tests showing marijuana use — even from weeks ago — rather than on-the-job impairment.

Voters this month agreed to make marijuana legal for recreational use for adults 21 and up, but the new law gives no protection in the workplace. Show up with marijuana in your system — even residual amounts from a few weeks back — and there's no guarantee your boss will look the other way.

Initiative 502 legalizes the possession of an ounce of Marijuana in Washington state for those over 21. The plant is still classified under Federal Law as a Schedule I drug and anyone detained under the legal age of 21 with over an ounce of Marijuana, or growing the plant illegally will be prosecuted under federal law.

This initiative stated that the plant will be taxed very heavily. Many feel that the taxing of Marijuana will be a very good thing, because it will bring an immense amount of money to our state for health care and education.

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