OLYMPIA – In a cooperative operation with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) today served a search warrant at The Hashford Compassion Club, located at 11220 Pacific Ave. South in Tacoma, for alleged sales of alcohol without a license and sales of alcohol to a minor. The Hashford Compassion Club is a medicinal cannabis outlet and does not have a liquor license. The WSLCB seized an indeterminate number of cases of beer.
“This is a public safety concern, “said Chief of WSLCB Enforcement and Education Justin Nordhorn. “Selling alcohol to minors without a license is the equivalent of selling alcohol out of the trunk of a car.”
The WSLCB acted on a complaint that a minor was sold alcohol. The beer was in a re-purposed Corona Light bottle with a label that read “Northern Light,” and advertised as “Cannabis Enriched Honey Beer.” While the beer is apparently enriched with cannabis, the WSLCB is acting on the liquor sales violation only.
Following the complaint, the WSLCB contacted the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. On Oct. 10, the PCSO conducted an undercover buy at The Hashford Compassion Club. The minor confidential informant purchased three bottles of beer.
The WSLCB worked with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office on the seizure. Evidence from today’s seizure will be turned over to the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.
Note to Editors: Photo of the Northern Light beer are available here.
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