In a landmark 5-2 vote, the Lynnwood City Council has approved an ordinance opening the door to retail cannabis businesses inside city limits. This long-debated move permits up to four retail cannabis stores in specific zones, giving priority to existing Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) certificate holders. According to Community Planning Manager Karl Almgren, the ordinance will be published in the city’s newspaper of record for five days before licenses for retail cannabis locations can be processed.
Councilmember George Hurst, who supported the motion, said the city should not continue to ban lawful, highly regulated industries such as retail cannabis. Vice President Josh Binda and Councilmembers Derica Escamilla, Nick Coelho, and Robert Leutwyler also voted yes. Councilmembers Patrick Decker and David Parshall opposed the measure, with Parshall citing public-health concerns and arguing the city should avoid expanding what he called “for-profit addiction” through retail cannabis sales.
A key amendment reduced the buffer distance from recreation centers from 300 feet to 100 feet to make more sites viable and prevent clustering, similar to other age-restricted businesses. Another amendment requires all Lynnwood retail cannabis stores to be certified as medical marijuana providers by the LCB, ensuring trained staff and improved access for patients who rely on medicinal products.
The ordinance also removed restrictions on future parks and playgrounds so the city’s densest and most walkable areas can host retail cannabis stores without being blocked by speculative developments. Supporters said these changes strike a balance between public safety and economic growth, while critics remain concerned about proximity to sensitive uses.
As of now, no retail cannabis stores operate within Lynnwood, though four state licenses have already been allocated. Nearby jurisdictions in Snohomish County host several retail cannabis outlets under stricter buffers. By adopting one of the state’s most flexible zoning frameworks comparable to Tacoma’s 100-foot rule Lynnwood positions itself to attract entrepreneurs and tax revenue from the growing retail cannabis industry.
City officials emphasized that each license application will undergo thorough review to ensure compliance with the ordinance. With careful oversight and a focus on public health, Lynnwood’s decision to legalize and regulate retail cannabis marks a major shift in local policy and could serve as a model for other Washington cities evaluating their own retail cannabis regulations.