OLYMPIA — A lottery is being held this week for 334 licenses the state of Washington plans to issue for the recreational marijuana stores.
The state Liquor Control Board set up a lottery system using an accounting firm and Washington State University’s Social and Economic Sciences Research Center.
A favorable rank in the lottery won’t guarantee a license. Applicants still have to pass a background check, financial investigation and other requirements before any licenses are issued. The first retail sales are expected to begin in July, under Washington’s recreational marijuana law.