Washington Gov. Jay Inslee
Washington State Looking to Keep Tight Legal Marijuana Regulations
The demographics of the United States are changing everyday. The newer generation of Americans no longer wish to see their peers treated unfairly because of who they wish to spend the night with. Even the Boy Scouts of America, an organization that has traditionally banned any gay members, is now reconsidering their position. Last November’s election showed that the country is heading in a new direction as states enacted marriage equality acts, and two states (Colorado, Washington) legalized recreational marijuana use.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson met with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder last week. The meeting was aimed at striking a balance between federal and state regulations. Washington state is moving forward with what their people want, a taxed and regulated marijuana market. However, Washington officials are not abandoning caution, and understand the concerns that opponents have about marijuana leaving state lines. The state is seeking the help of marijuana experts to help ensure that the proper regulations are set in place.
Washington and Colorado are hoping to create the model for how this can be done. Polling and recent voting shows a surge in support for drastic marijuana reform and there are no signs of this trend slowing. Washington’s Liquor Control Board has posted ads that indicates they seeking individuals with “at least three years of consulting experience relating to the knowledge of the cannabis industry, including but not limited to product growth, harvesting, packaging, product infusion and product safety.” Medical marijuana employees will likely be the target employees. The state is looking to determine safety and testing regulations, the proper amount of storefronts. There is time to work this out but the regulations are expected to be in place sooner than later as legal sales are expected to begin in December.
It may be about time for the federal government to start posting their own job advertisements. We are supposed to look to the federal government for guidance and should not have to enact common sense law ourselves years before they will even consider discussion. It is a fast paced, internet and technologically driven world that will soon not tolerate snail paced governing. Tough talk, failed policy, one liners, and bitter partisan politics are no longer in step with what most Americans want. If Washington state can demonstrate a connection to what the people want, we hope that Washington D.C. follows suit.