University Place Adopts Zoning For Marijuana, But Ban Remains

UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA - The City Council this week approved new rules for marijuana retailers and processors. The city still maintains a ban on pot sales and processing, however. The new rules would only be useful if the City Council ever decides to lift that ban.

The Council on Monday approved new zoning regulations recommended by the Planning Commission that establish where marijuana retailers or processors could set up shop in the city - if they're ever allowed to.

Marijuana retailers would only be allowed in the city's mixed-use district; the regulations don't permit a marijuana retailer to operate within 1,000 feet of places like schools, arcades, libraries, and public parks (plus, no marijuana retailer could operate within 1,000 feet of another).

Similar regulations apply to marijuana processors and producers, which would only be allowed in light industrial districts. Those types of marijuana operations would be banned from operating within 100 feet of places like schools and parks.

University Place began exploring the possibility of allowing marijuana in the city last year. On Sept. 19, the City Council passed a resolution to explore the possibility of allowing retail marijuana and processing in the city. That's mainly because University Place might be missing out on tax revenue lost to consumers who go to Tacoma or other places in Pierce County to buy pot.

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