The Washington State Liquor Control Board has released the names of the first wave of applicants looking to enter the commercial marijuana market with eight looking to set up business in Bellevue, so far.
WSLCB opened the application process for prospective marijuana producers, processors and retailers on Nov. 20 with a Dec. 19 deadline to apply. The city of Bellevue is allowed four marijuana retail shops, however, there are no caps on how many producers and processors that may be issued licenses, said Mikhail Carpenter with WSLCB.
“There’s a lot of different things that they have to go through,” he said of the application process. “This is just the first step.”
So far, three retail applications have been received in Bellevue and printed by the liquor control board under their selected trade names: Danny’s Delights, 10620 N.E. Eighth St; THC Inc., 13128 S.E. Newport Way and the Mustard Seed Grill and Pub at 5608 119th Ave. S.E.
“I applied and withdrew, because they won’t let me have it because I have liquor,” said Ken Wiles, owner of the Mustard Seed. “They want you to sell marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, and that’s it.”
Wiles said he felt he could use his commercial kitchen to serve marijuana consumers looking to purchase edibles.
“That’s half the battle is making food products,” he said.
WSLCB received three producer applications in Bellevue: Element, 16642 S.E. 48th Court; Saturn Group, 13215 S.E. 30th St., and Techbud at 12420 N.E. 27th St. Element and the Saturn Group, which lists the Eastside Hauling and Container Services as its address, also applied for licensure to process marijuana in Bellevue.
The liquor control board plans to release an updated list of applicants every Tuesday through the Dec. 19 deadline.
Bellevue city councilmembers on Monday (Dec. 2) approved continuing an ordinance restricting retail, production and processing to light industrial zones, among other regulations, until the planning commission can recommend any changes to a final draft. City Legal Planner Catherine Drews told councilmembers only one applicant documented in the first release by the liquor control board lists an address that would comply with the city’s ordinance mandating marijuana-related businesses be in a light industrial zone.
