Yakima County, Washington, is once again turning to voters to gauge public sentiment on its long-standing ban on cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas. The Board of Yakima County Commissioners has approved a non-binding advisory measure for the November 2025 general election, asking residents whether the county should maintain its current cannabis prohibition.
The measure, officially titled Proposition No. 1, comes amid growing concerns about lost economic opportunities and public service funding. Commissioner Kyle Curtis voiced his support for revisiting the policy, citing the financial consequences of the existing ban.
“Due to the County’s explicit ban on cannabis in our unincorporated areas, the County has left millions of dollars on the table that could have been utilized towards substance abuse prevention programs and public safety,” Curtis said in a statement.
Currently, Yakima County is unable to collect any portion of the state’s 37% cannabis excise tax, resulting in a missed revenue opportunity estimated at $400,000 to $500,000 annually. This loss, Curtis noted, comes at a time when many counties are turning to cannabis revenue to fund critical services, especially in public health and law enforcement.
Beyond lost tax revenue, the cannabis ban has prevented over 60 potential cannabis businesses from establishing operations in unincorporated areas of the county.
The cannabis ban dates back to Ordinance 4-2014, which imposed zoning restrictions that effectively blocked cannabis-related operations in unincorporated areas. In 2017, a similar advisory measure showed that 58% of voters supported keeping the ban, reflecting strong local opposition at the time.
However, attitudes toward cannabis have shifted significantly in Washington State and across the U.S. in recent years. With more data on the economic benefits of regulated cannabis markets and increased public awareness around legalization, county officials see this as the right moment to re-evaluate the policy.
While Proposition No. 1 is non-binding, the Yakima County Board of Commissioners has stated they will carefully consider the results when making future policy decisions. The outcome could influence whether the county amends or repeals the cannabis ban and opens the door to new revenue and business opportunities.
The November 2025 vote will serve as a litmus test for public opinion—and may mark a turning point in Yakima County’s cannabis policy.
by NonStop Local Tri-Cities Yakima
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