[trichrider]

ACLU, instrumental in getting I-502 passed, has urged liquor control board to use caution in issuing grow permits...

Tue March 12, 2013

ACLU, public health groups cautioning marijuana rulemakers


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Backers of Washington's marijuana legalization law want public health concerns addressed in rules that will govern the new industry. One challenge is growing just the right amount to meet but not increase market demand.
How do you build a whole new industry – and undermine a black market -- without increasing its customer base?
That’s the challenge state regulators are facing as they write the rules that will govern recreational marijuana in Washington. The American Civil Liberties Union is urging caution.
The ACLU of Washington has been the state’s biggest cheerleader for legalized marijuana. They wrote Initiative 502, which voters passed into law.
Now they’ve joined with substance abuse treatment groups and public health advocates in submitting a letter to the state liquor control board.
The ACLU’s Alison Holcomb says they’re asking the board to keep growers small initially.

“And that our marijuana market winds up looking more like a market that is designed to meet existing adult demand for this product, without crossing the line into promoting excessive use of marijuana – and especially, avoiding promotion of marijuana use by young people.”

She says they want the board to incorporate lessons learned from the regulation of alcohol and tobacco and be careful about the kinds of labeling and advertisements allowed. They also want adequate funding to monitor impacts on public health.
The comments come at the same time as a key lawmaker has introduced amendments to the pot law, among them, dramatically increasing the licensing fees on marijuana businesses. State Representative Christopher Hurst, who leads the house committee that oversees cannabis, says the state would be leaving “money on the table” if it sticks with current fees of just $250 for starting up.
Holcomb says she’s worried increasing the fees would invite big business interests to the market, rather than encouraging illicit businesses to come into compliance.

https://kplu.org/post/aclu-public-hea...ana-rulemakers

[xmobotx]

more small growers means more actual people could benefit from 502 not just corporations/rich

if it's going to cost $100,000+ just to have a viable facility it turns into yet another 'rich get richer' paradigm