PDFWAC 314-55-015
General information about cannabis licenses.
(1) To be issued and maintain a license to produce, process, or sell cannabis at retail, a person or entity applying for a cannabis license must meet all of the qualifications described in this chapter.
(2) All applicants, licensees, and employees working in each licensed establishment must be at least 21 years of age. Persons, as defined in RCW 69.50.101, who are under 21 years of age must not:
(a) Enter or remain on the licensed premises of a cannabis licensee except as provided in RCW 69.50.357 or as provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section.
(b) Possess any products associated with the production, processing, or sales of cannabis. Violations of this subsection are subject to the same penalties established for allowing persons under 21 years of age to frequent a retail licensed premises under WAC 314-55-525.
(3) Persons under the age of 16 who are children or grandchildren of the licensees may enter or remain on the licensed premises of a cannabis producer or processor, as provided in this subsection. Violations of this subsection are subject to the same penalties established for failure to maintain required surveillance system under WAC 314-55-522.
(a) The person does not enter or remain in areas where cannabis is present including, but not limited to, those areas where cannabis is grown, dried, cured, trimmed, processed in any manner, stored, or being prepared for shipment, unless accompanied by and under the direct supervision of the licensee.
(b) The licensee is on the licensed premises at all times while their child or grandchild is present.
(4) A licensed producer or processor may allow a person under 21 years of age to enter or remain on the licensed premises under the conditions outlined in this subsection.
(a) The person under 21 years of age is:
(i) At least 18 years of age.
(ii) Employed by a licensed plumbing contractor under chapter 18.106 RCW, or licensed electrical contractor under chapter 19.28 RCW, or a contractor registered with the Washington state department of labor and industries as required under chapters 18.27 RCW and 296-200A WAC.
(iii) On the licensed premises only during the course of their official employment providing contracted services to the licensee and does not remain on the premises any longer than is necessary to perform duties associated with their employment.
(iv) Accompanied at all times by either:
(A) A supervisor who is employed by the same licensed or registered contractor and who is at least 21 years of age; or
(B) A general contractor with supervisory authority and control over the workplace who is at least 21 years of age.
(b) In addition to requirements under WAC 314-55-083, including wearing an identification badge while on the premises, licensees must record the following information about employees of contractors in the visitor log:
(i) If the employee is under 21 years of age; and
(ii) The name of contractor business for whom employee is engaged in work while on the licensed premises.
(5) Mandatory signs must be conspicuously posted at all cannabis licensed premises consistent with the requirements in WAC 314-55-086.
(6) The privileges of a board issued cannabis license may be used only after the board issues official written approval.
(7) The board will not approve an application for a cannabis license under any of the following circumstances:
(a) The proposed cannabis location would limit law enforcement access without notice or cause, including a personal residence;
(b) The proposed cannabis business would be located on federal lands;
(c) The proposed cannabis business would be located within the exterior boundaries of the reservation of a federally recognized tribe without the express written consent of the tribe consistent with WAC 314-55-020(4).
(d) The application for a cannabis retail license is located within another business unless that other business is a research license as described in WAC 314-55-073. More than one license may be located in the same building if each licensee has their own area separated by full walls with their own entrance, or if the same business entity holds a producer license and a processor license at the same location under a single license number. Product may not be commingled.
(8) The board may impose special conditions to an approval for a cannabis license. Special conditions include, but are not limited to, involvement of any former licensee in the operations of the licensed business, their former employees, or any person not qualifying for a cannabis license.
(9) All cannabis licensees must conspicuously post and keep posted its license, or licenses, and any additional correspondence issued by the board describing special conditions.
(10) A cannabis licensee must use sanitary practices in the production, processing, storage, and sale of all cannabis products.
(11) Cannabis licensees may not allow the consumption of cannabis or cannabis-infused products on or within the licensed premises.
(12) Nothing in this section conflicts with RCW 9.41.300 as the entire premises remain classified as off-limits to persons under 21 years of age from the general public.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.342, and 69.50.345. WSR 25-13-114, s 314-55-015, filed 6/18/25, effective 7/19/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.335, 69.50.336, 69.50.342, and 2022 c 16. WSR 22-21-058, § 314-55-015, filed 10/12/22, effective 11/12/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.342, 69.50.345, and 69.50.369. WSR 18-22-055, § 314-55-015, filed 10/31/18, effective 12/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.342 and 69.50.345. WSR 16-11-110, § 314-55-015, filed 5/18/16, effective 6/18/16; WSR 15-11-107, § 314-55-015, filed 5/20/15, effective 6/20/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.325, 69.50.331, 69.50.342, 69.50.345. WSR 13-21-104, § 314-55-015, filed 10/21/13, effective 11/21/13.]