OLYMPIA– The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) issued an emergency marijuana producer license suspension on Monday, October 15, 2018 for Emerald City Industries, located at 23887 S Frontage Rd E in Warden. The suspension is effective for 180 days beginning October 2, 2018 until April 13, 2019. During that time the WSLCB will seek permanent revocation of the license.
WSLCB enforcement conducted a premise check at the licensed location and observed numerous violations of state law. Officers observed untagged plants, clones and finished product. Traceability tags allow officers to track marijuana throughout the system and assist in monitoring for tax compliance, potential diversion and product recalls. When asked to produce business records and surveillance footage the business had no records on hand and the surveillance system, while operable, was not recording anything. Officers also noted unauthorized alterations to the business including adding a modular structure to the property that appeared to be used as a residence. Licensees are prohibited from operating a business from their residence.
When questioned about the business, the licensee indicated that she had not been involved in the business for some time and that the operations were run by an unlicensed individual. During the course of their investigation officers seized 4,618 marijuana plants, and 300 pounds of marijuana flower. LCB officers were supported by both the Washington State Patrol and the Spokane Police Department.
Due to the severity of these violations and the risk of diversion should the business remain open the Board issued the emergency suspension. Emergency suspensions represent an extraordinary exercise of the state’s power and the WSLCB is mandated to ensure that an emergency suspension is reasonable, justifiable and legal in every way. The WSLCB issued one emergency suspension in 2017, and five in 2018.