OLYMPIA – The Liquor and Cannabis Board (Board) Monday issued an emergency license suspension for Emerald Flash LLC, license number 416223, a cannabis producer/processor located at 4 Drywater Road in Okanogan, WA. The suspension is for violations of the Washington State Uniform Controlled Substances Act as well as agency rules and regulations. The suspension became effective yesterday and will last for 180 days. During that time, the Board will seek permanent revocation of the license.
The Board alleges the following violations:
- Diversion. On or about Sept. 19, 2021, the licensee was responsible for selling or providing to an unlicensed entity approximately 350 pounds of cannabis flower, worth between $700,000 and $1,000,000;
- Aggravated Misrepresentation/Obstruction Violation. On or about Sept. 27, 2021, the licensee was responsible for providing deceptive, conflicting and inconsistent information during the investigation;
- Aggravated Traceability Violation. On or about Sept. 27, 2021, the licensee was responsible for failing to utilize or maintain current information in the traceability system by possessing 10 “XL” Home Depot boxes, a large tote, and two plastic bags of cannabis flower without or inaccurate traceability tags;
- Aggravated Surveillance System Violation. On or about Sept. 27, 2021, the licensee was responsible for failing to maintain required surveillance system for 45 days of video footage.
In addition, the licensee was charged with aggravated violations for failing to keep accurate required records as well as allowing visitors on site without recording them in the visitor log.
Based on the threat to public safety, the Board imposed an immediate suspension of the business’s license to be followed by an administrative proceeding seeking revocation of the license. The agency is authorized by state law to issue an emergency suspension of up to 180 days of a liquor license when it believes the “health, safety or welfare” of the general public is in danger. This is the third emergency suspension issued in 2021.