OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A push to allow regulation of medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington state has suffered another setback.
Supporters of a revised bill Friday afternoon were unable to secure enough votes to move the plan out of committee, even though no lawmakers spoke out against the measure. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles says she is still working to gather support.
The latest proposal from Kohl-Welles would simply allow counties with more than 200,000 people the chance to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. It’s dramatically scaled down from the plan lawmakers passed earlier this year that would have provided statewide regulation of the outlets.
Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed that plan last month after federal prosecutors warned that state employees who regulate the industry would not be immune from prosecution.
