The City of Burien on Wednesday announced that Ekalo Teklehaimanot, of Living Well Enterprises, LLC, has applied to open a state-licensed Recreational Marijuana Retail Store at 17730 Ambaum Blvd. South (map below). This would be Burien’s second retail pot shop (of two allowed), with the first currently being built at the old KC’s Family Restaurant located at 14325 First Ave South (read our previous coverage here). The state’s legal pot law – Initiative 502 – passed with 56 percent voter approval in 2012. Under a 2015 law, the tax structure for legal pot has been raised to 37 percent at the point of sale from a three-tiered tax structure. According to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, last year in King County alone over $59 million dollars was generated in pot sales, with $14.75 million in taxes paid. During fiscal years 2016 and 2017, the state estimates that it will distribute $6 million to cities and counties that have licensed retail marijuana stores within their jurisdiction. State law mandates that pot shops cannot be set up “within 1000 feet of any elementary or secondary school, playground, recreation center or facility, child care center, public park, public transit center, library, or game arcade that allows minors to enter. Local authorities will also be notified and have an opportunity to object.” However, recent legislation does allow local governments to pass an ordinance to allow for a reduction in the 1000-foot buffer requirements to 100 feet around all entities except elementary and secondary schools and public playgrounds. From the city:

The decision on this application will be made by the Community Development Director. Prior to the decision, there is an opportunity for the public to submit written comments. Written comments must be received prior to 5:00 p.m. on June 8, 2016. Send written comments to the project planner (see below). Please indicate your name and address and refer to the file indicated above. Only people who submitted comments as indicated above may appeal the decision on this application. Charles W. “Chip” Davis, AICP Department of Community Development City of Burien 400 SW 152nd Street (Suite 300) Burien, WA 98166-3066 Phone: (206) 248-5501 E-Mail: [email protected]
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3 replies on “Application submitted to open city's 2nd recreational pot shop on Ambaum”

    1. Well Ira since in this area and most of the state there is or was at least 1 or more people on just about every block that has either bought or sold cannabis for years. So yeah then there’s the money being brought in to help the state and it’s citizen’s.
      What’s unfortunate is how some people still to this day think cannabis is some evil drug. That think someone is mixxing a bunch of chemicals together in a basement to get high.Some of the same people that drink liquor and smoke cigarettes all day.
      Or are a employee of DuPont company and believe the bs rumors made by the DuPont owners about cannabis in early 70’s and before.
      Some people also get confused by cannabis and synthetic cannabis.

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