The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) issued the state’s first licenses to produce and process recreational marijuana today. According to news reports, the licenses were issued to Spokane’s Sean Green who will operate his business under the trade name Kouchlock Productions.
The WSLCB began processing applications for all three license types (producer, processor and retailer) on November 20, 2013. The window for accepting license applications remained open for a period of 30 days. Although the WSLCB explained that it did not intend to limit the amount of producer or processor licenses to be issued, the agency will only be issuing 334 retail licenses.
Despite the issuance of the first licenses under Initiative 502, the marijuana industry continues to face challenges as marijuana remains an illegal substance under federal law.