W. Richland considers lifting 10-year retail cannabis ban. Here’s what its voters said
The voters of West Richland have spoken: Cannabis retail sales should not be allowed in city limits.
In vote with symbolic weight but no legal effect, the city’s voters advised the city council they don’t want to end the city’s 10-year ban on cannabis sales.
With 3,913 ballots counted Thursday, the vote was 56% opposing marijuana sales in the city and 45% in favor, or 2,174 votes to 1,739.
Voter turnout in Benton County rose to 30% when additional ballots were counted after election day.
The West Richland City Council has not said if it will bind itself to the results the advisory ballot.
The city council placed the question on the Aug. 6 primary after a cannabis retailer from Yakima submitted an environmental impact report to Washington state that could have opened the door to retail sales in industrial areas of West Richland.
Ken Weaver wanted to bring his Slow Burn chain to the area. West Richland’s planning commission voted 3-1 to recommend the city council make the change. But faced with fierce opposition, the council opted to canvas voters for their thoughts.
Officials in neighboring Richland are watching the outcome as well after receiving a similar request from Fire Cannabis to amend city codes to allow it to open a store in the Horn Rapids Industrial Area.
Fire Cannabis suspended its request while Richland city leaders watched results from the neighboring jurisdiction.
Washington voters legalized recreational cannabis use in 2012 but the measure was so unpopular in the Tri-Cities that several local jurisdictions banned sales, though possession remains legal under Washington law.
Cannabis sales are still banned in Kennewick, Richland, West Richland and Franklin County.