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Wednesday, January 22, 2014 | 75 cents
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Recreational marijuana battle looms ahead County Councilman Dan Roach considers court action By Theresa De Lay
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Washington state voters decriminalized recreational marijuana use by approving Initiative 502, but counties and city governments have made it difficult for the Liquor Control Board to allow marijuana businesses by prohibiting it within their own boundaries. The result is a clash of
power, which raisas to whether land es the question if use regulations and small governing business license bodies are legally requirements could able to prevent be used to make those attempting conducting such to conduct those businesses impracbusinesses within tical, if not entirely Dan Roach the scope allowed illegal. The attorby the initiative. ney general’s analyWa s h i n g t o n sis of the law pointState Liquor Control ed to yes, on all counts. Board Chairman Sharon Ferguson’s formal opinFoster requested a formal ion on the matter is as analysis of the issue from follows: Initiative 502, which Attorney General Bob establishes a licensFerguson. In addition to the tra- ing and regulatory system ditional bans and mora- for marijuana producers, toriums, like those seen processors, and retailers, in Bonney Lake and does not preempt counSumner, Foster inquired ties, cities and towns from
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banning such businesses within their jurisdictions. Local ordinances that do not expressly ban state-licensed marijuana licensees from operating within the jurisdiction but make such operation impractical are valid if they properly exercise the local jurisdiction’s police power. As the law currently stands, Foster said she is concerned local bans will enable the illegal drug market to thrive in those areas and subsequently impact the state revenue expected from approving Initiative 502. Rep. David Sawyer, D -
29th Legislative District, recently sponsored House Bill 2322. If enacted, the bill would prohibit local government from impeding the operation of recreational marijuana businesses. By doing so, advocates hope to improve public safety and effectively implement a law that was approved by voters. “The legal opinion will be a disappointment to the majority of Washington’s voters who approved Initiative 502. We’re not yet sure how this opinion will change the implementation of the initiative. We
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See marijuana, Page 5
Buckley man arrested for illegal firearms
Seattle Seahawks clinch the NFC Championship Page 3
Weather The forecast for today, Wednesday, calls for a 50 percent chance of rain with highs to 46 and overnight lows to 37. Thursday and Friday will be partly sunny with a high to 50. Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny with highs to 53 and lows to 38.
By Theresa De Lay Staff Writer
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Foggy Day Play: Dreaming of Spring
Lukas Hartjoy, 4, and Klohe Galer, 3, bundle up for a play day at Allan Yorke Park Thursday. The fog didn’t stop them from enjoying themselves. “I just want to swing but it will be more fun in summer when I don’t have to wear gloves,” Lukas said. Photo by Theresa De Lay
The National Geographic TV show “Doomsday Preppers” featured a local man from the Bonney Lake and Buckley area Nov. 12. The program spotlights people who go above and beyond to prepare for the end of the world. Tyler Smith, 26, was Foiled by shown discharging fireFame arms and discussing his piratical tactics on camera. The clincher is this – Smith is a convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms. After a lengthy investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff ’s Department, Smith was apprehended at his home Jan. 15. Neighbors were frightened by his demeanor
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14 See doomsday, Page 10 ”) UPCOMING IN THE COURIER HERALD • UPCOMING IN THE COURIER HERALD • UPCOMING IN THE In celebration of Literacy Month, we are producing a special section devoted to students who will design an ad for your business! Call for details: 360-825-2555
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