SEATTLE – The King County Council has passed legislation to create a Cannabis Safety Taskforce.
This comes amid multiple pot shop robberies over the last several months, with some ending in injuries or even death.
Marijuana businesses are particularly vulnerable to armed robberies as they can not use banks the same way other businesses can, leaving more cash on hand than usual.
There have been about 70 robberies statewide since the start of the year.
Councilmembers Regan Dunn and Jeanne Kohl-Welles sponsored the legislation.
“A dedicated Cannabis Safety Taskforce will be able to focus on keeping our local communities safe from the pattern of armed robberies targeting cannabis stores and manufacturers across the region,” Dunn said. “This legislation sends a strong message that King County plans to hold those committing these crimes responsible for their actions. I could not be more proud of this bipartisan legislation and am grateful to my colleagues for their support.”
The task force uses the King County Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office, cannabis business members and the community. They will all work together to find resources to help officers prevent these robberies as best they can with what is available.
There was also $4.6 million in marijuana tax revenue cut off from the sheriff’s office funding for the 2021-22 year. The legislation requests an analysis of how the money is now being used instead.
“King County is leading the way in our state by adopting a coordinated response among law enforcement, prosecutors, regulated cannabis businesses and the broader community for responding to the current public safety crisis,” said Vicki Christophersen, WACA executive director. “We thank Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Jeanne Kohl-Welles for co-sponsoring this legislation and the full Council for adopting this critical effort. Regulated cannabis businesses stand ready to participate as partners in protecting the safety of workers and the communities in which regulated cannabis businesses operate.”
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