Despite a prohibition on the sale of marijuana in Woodland, Washington, a new retailer has opened a shop to distribute cannabis.
According to Woodland Community Development Director Travis Goddard, the city has received two complaints about the business, 20 After 4, defying city code by selling marijuana from its North Goerig Street shop since May 28.
The store could be fined $50-250 a day for violating city code.
Goddard said the store has not been fined yet because the owner has not received an official letter from the city. A representative from 20 After 4 has so far declined to comment.
It has also been speculated that the store may not have applied for a business license with the city, located in Clark and Cowlitz counties, just north of Vancouver. Operating without a city business license could cost another $25 a day.
Despite Washington’s legalization of cannabis sales in 2012, municipalities can decide where or if retail marijuana stores are allowed. Woodland has banned retail sale of cannabis, but allows businesses that produce and process the product.
The Woodland City Council originally adopted a moratorium on marijuana retailers in 2014, which had to be regularly renewed. In May 2020, the City Council updated its code to permanently ban the sale of cannabis.
Goddard said he spoke with the owner of 20 After 4 twice before they selected a Woodland shop location, and explained that fines would be issued if marijuana was sold. The owner apparently requested that the City Council eliminate the moratorium on cannabis sales before the permanent ban, and that the store did not violate any codes until it opened and started selling cannabis.
Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board Spokesperson Julie Graham said having a state license to sell cannabis does not allow businesses to locate anywhere they choose. Municipalities can still restrict the sale of cannabis.
Graham also said the store received its cannabis license in 2017, and the store was approved by the board to move to Woodland on May 25.
