Selling Marijuana To Minors Hurts The Entire Industry And Reform Movement

washington marijuana id sting underage minor — (via washington dmv)

Some undercover sting operations were conducted at Washington recreational marijuana stores recently, and some of the results were very disappointing. Whereas the stings in Colorado yielded no failures, Washington had four failures. That’s unacceptable. I always hate posting articles like this because I should be highlighting our victories, and not highlighting examples that will no doubt be used by marijuana opponents like Kevin Sabet.

But, I feel it’s necessary to share so that readers can see it as a type of public service announcement. Never, ever, ever sell marijuana to a minor. There’s simply no excuse for that to ever happen at a regulated recreational marijuana store. Everyone should be carded every time, no matter what age the person appears to be. I would never be offended getting carded at a recreational marijuana store, and would actually turn over my license gladly in order to help ensure that no minor gets access. Selling marijuana to a minor gives a black eye to the entire industry and movement, and is absolutely unacceptable. Below is the press release issued by the Washington State Liquor Control Board about the sting results:

Marijuana compliance checks: 4 of 22 recreational marijuana stores sell to minors
OLYMPIA – Four Western Washington recreational retail marijuana businesses recently failed compliance checks conducted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB). Officers, working with underage investigative aides, checked 22 businesses for sales of marijuana to minors. The first checks represent an 82 percent no-sales-to-minors compliance rate.

The four businesses will be cited for selling marijuana to minors. The individuals who sold the marijuana will be referred to their respective prosecuting attorney’s office for potential criminal prosecution.

First Marijuana Compliance Checks
The WSLCB and local authorities regularly conduct compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol. The checks, conducted May 15-18 in Skagit, Snohomish, Kitsap, Pierce and Cowlitz Counties, were the first marijuana compliance checks. The checks followed a recent communication to all licensees that enforcement officers were beginning compliance checks and recommended best practices for avoiding an illegal sale.

Compliance checks are proven tools to reduce the sale of age-restricted products to minors. Investigative aides assist officers with compliance checks. These individuals are from 18 to 20 years old. They must either present their true identification or none at all if asked by a clerk.

Administrative Penalties
Liquor enforcement officers are empowered to issue Administrative Violation Notices to businesses that fail compliance checks. Fines or temporary license suspensions can be issued depending on the severity of the infraction or the frequency with which a business has been cited. Sales to minors are considered the most serious violations because they present a threat to public safety. Businesses cited for Sale to a Minor face a 10-day suspension or $2,500 fine. Businesses who receive three public safety violations within three years face license cancellation.

Businesses that sold marijuana to a minor

Mary Mart	3005 6th Avenue Ste. B (Tacoma)
Emerald Leaves	2702 6th Avenue (Tacoma)
Green City Collective	13601 Highway 99 Suite B (Everett)
Purple Haze	4218 Rucker Ave. (Everett)

Businesses that did not sell marijuana to a minor

Westside 420 Recreational	4503 Ocean Beach Highway (Longview)
Freedom Market	820A Westside Highway (Kelso)
Localamster	1006 California Way (Longview)
Longview Freedom Market	971 14th Avenue Suite 110 (Longview)
420 Holiday	2028 10th Avenue (Longview)
Diamond Green	4002 South 12th Street (Tacoma)
Rainier Downtown	112 South 24^th Street (Tacoma)
Crockpot	1703 SE Sedgwick Road Suite 113 (Port Orchard)
Greenway Marijuana	4851 Geiger Road SE (Port Orchard)
420 Pot Shop	1374 SE Lund Avenue (Port Orchard)
HWY 420	1110 Charleston Beach Road West (Bremerton)
Kushmart	6309 Evergreen Way (Everett)
Bud Hut	11603 Highway 99 (Everett)
Herbal Nation	19302 Bothell Everett Highway (Bothell)
High Times	1519 Highway 99 (Lynnwood)
Euphorium Lynnwood	20925 Cypress Way Suite 104 (Lynnwood)
Local Roots Marijuana	212 West Winesap Road Suite 101 (Bothell)
High Society	8630 South March Point Road (Anacortes)

The WSLCB mission is to promote public safety and trust through fair administration and enforcement of liquor, tobacco and marijuana laws. Per 2015 legislation, on July 24, 2015, the agency will change its name to the Liquor and Cannabis Board. It will retain the WSLCB acronym.