Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Washington prepares for marijuana retail sales
Ganja
News
June 23, 2014

Washington prepares for marijuana retail sales

OLYMPIA, Washington (AP) — As Washington State prepares to issue the first licences for marijuana retail stores, Governor Jay Inslee and other state leaders on Tuesday announced a coordinated campaign to make sure pot stays out of the hands of minors once products start hitting store shelves next month.

“Those who have led the effort to legalize this product understand that we’ve got to make sure that parents’ roles are respected and emphasized and that the health of our children is of our paramount concern,” Inslee said. Different state agencies are working together “to make sure the public has the information they need to make healthy decisions and the tools that they need to keep our kids safe,” he said.

The Liquor Control Board will issue about 20 retail licences on July 7, and the stores that are ready can open the next day. More stores will get licensed in the following days.

During Tuesday’s news conference, officials with the state Liquor Control Board, which has been overseeing the implementation of the state’s recreational marijuana law, said that they are poised to adopt emergency rules Wednesday to do three things concerning edible marijuana: require all marijuana-infused products to be labelled clearly as containing marijuana; require all products to be scored in such a way that a serving size is easily identified by the consumer; and requiring marijuana-infused products to be approved by the board before sale.

Previously adopted rules already require marijuana-infused products to be stored behind a counter or other barrier, and to be child-resistant. Officials stressed that no product will approved if it has a label that is appealing to kids.

“We’re just not going to let toys or cartoon figures be used on our labels,” said Sharon Foster, chairwoman of the state liquor control board.

Foster noted that officials are also worried about adult consumers who may not realize the impact of varying products. “The marijuana today is not the marijuana of the 60s,” she said.

Edibles won’t be available right away once stores open because a commercial kitchen is required, and, so far, no processors with commercial kitchens have been licensed.

The state has launched a $400,000 state wide radio and online campaign by the Department of Health this week that urges parents to talk with their children about the health risks of using marijuana. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission also launched a “Drive High, Get a DUI” campaign.

“We are not going to allow this effort of legalization to increase the risks of our family members on the roadways,” Inslee said.

State Patrol Chief John Batiste said that troopers have been trained to recognize signs of stoned driving.

“We’ve been dealing with this for a long time,” he said. “We just simply ask that with access, that people are responsible.”

At the end of 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize possession of recreational marijuana by adults 21 and older. The voters also called for the establishment of systems of state-licensed pot growers, processors and retail stores.

Sales have already begun in Colorado.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Parents encouraged to safeguard children during summer break
Latest News, News
Parents encouraged to safeguard children during summer break
July 16, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica—Parents and guardians are being urged to take extra precautions during the summer holidays to protect children from heat-related ill...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Education minister urges greater parental engagement during high school years
Latest News, News
Education minister urges greater parental engagement during high school years
July 16, 2026
ST JAMES, Jamaica —Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dana Morris Dixon, is encouraging parents to remain actively engaged ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Binding concession agreement negotiated by PNP responsible for contractual toll rate adjustments, says Vaz
Latest News, News
Binding concession agreement negotiated by PNP responsible for contractual toll rate adjustments, says Vaz
July 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the recently announced toll rate adjustments is a result of a legally binding concession agreement...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘The Hive’ appoints different as REIT manager
Business, Latest News
‘The Hive’ appoints different as REIT manager
July 16, 2026
different Capital Limited has secured another real estate investment trust (REIT) engagement, as it has been appointed REIT manager for The Hive, whic...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
CIBC joins banks to cease isssuing, accepting $1-million cheques
Business, Latest News
CIBC joins banks to cease isssuing, accepting $1-million cheques
July 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—CIBC Caribbean Bank will stop issuing and accepting cheques valued at $1 million or more in Jamaica from September 1 as the banking ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
‘NOT FAIR!’ Taxi operators cry foul over new JUTC services in Greater Portmore
Latest News, News
‘NOT FAIR!’ Taxi operators cry foul over new JUTC services in Greater Portmore
Cabbies frustrated as state bus offering coincides with long-delayed PPV fare hike
Vanassa McKenzie, Observer Online reporter, mckenziev@jamaicaobserver.com 
July 16, 2026
Taxi operators who ply the Greater Portmore to Portmore Mall route in St Catherine say their livelihoods are being threatened by the introduction of c...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Police constable pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2025 killing of D’Jonnay Graham
Latest News, News
Police constable pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2025 killing of D’Jonnay Graham
July 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Police constable Patrick Walters pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Wednesday in connection to the fatal shooting of D’Jonnay Graham ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Flow, Jamaica Pegasus team up for football watch parties
Latest News, News
Flow, Jamaica Pegasus team up for football watch parties
July 16, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—As the FIFA World Cup heads into its thrilling final stages, Flow and The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel are partnering to give football fans...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct