The Woodland City Council voted Monday, March 16, to keep its current limit of one cannabis retail license, declining to move forward with a proposed change to city code that could have allowed for greater retail density.
The discussion came after staff presented information outlining the city’s authority to increase the number of cannabis retail licenses beyond the current population-based cap. Woodland currently allows one licensed retailer, with Twenty After Four operating under that limit.
Staff also noted that the state’s social equity program could provide additional licenses to reduce barriers to entry in the cannabis industry. Even without a formal change to city code, Woodland may accept social equity licenses if issued by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, according to a staff report.
During a workshop held before the proposed ordinance was presented on Monday, Councilmembers Brittny Michaelson and Melissa Doughty expressed that it was too soon to allocate more retail licenses, noting the council had only recently permitted cannabis retail through a zoning ordinance on Feb. 2.
Councilmember Jason Friend made a motion to deny an ordinance proposed by staff that would have opened the door to increasing the number of retail licenses. The motion to deny it passed unanimously among members present. Councilmembers Douglas Freimarck and Jennifer De Luz were excused from the meeting.
