Bloglander

Earlier this week, Gov. Jay Inslee sent a five-page letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder outlining how the state plans to legalize marijuana without creating some kind of free-for-all weed market that spills over into other states where the drug remains illegal.

Back in mid-January, Inslee and state Attorney General Bob Ferguson met with Holder to discuss the implementation of Initiative 502, which legalized recreational marijuana in Washington. After that meeting, Inslee said he was encouraged but that Holder gave no hints as to whether the feds will step in to shut down recreational pot stores here or look the other way. Inslee said Holder's main concern was how the state planned to prevent use by minors or transport of the drug out of state. 

Although the Board is still figuring out just what the rules will look like, Inslee emphasized potential checks it could put in place, like criminal background checks for those applying to grow, process or sell and strict rules for how pot is transported.

Here's the full letter: 

Inslee also attached the Liquor Control Board's I-502 fact sheet  and its timeline for implementing new pot rules.