The state is about to lend a hand to cannabis dispensaries so they can make security improvements after a recent string of violent robberies.
The State Liquor and Cannabis Board is about to announce a multi-faceted plan that includes best-practices training for retailers and their workers in partnership with the Washington State Crime Prevention Association with a focus on CPTED, or “crime prevention through environmental design” to make the physical environment harder to navigate for criminals.
The LCB’s Director of Enforcement and Education, Chandra Brady, says in addition, “we’ll be announcing a contract with an established, experienced security firm that will be available to our licensees to assess physical security and employee safety and make recommendations to licensee locations.” Those security assessments will come at no cost to retailers with first priority given to dispensaries in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, which have been hardest hit by violent pot shop robberies. They are not mandatory, but Board members hope retailers will take advantage.
Both new assistance programs are expected to be in place by the end of May.
The LCB is also working on rules to allow axe throwing in bars across the state. If you’ve never seen axe throwing, our friends at KOMO-TV’s “Seattle Refined” paid a visit to Axe Kickers in White Center back in 2019.
Under the draft rules, any bars that wanted to add the game would have to create a floor plan that shows how the axe throwing is separated from areas where alcohol is allowed. No alcohol would be allowed in axe throwing areas. They would also have to have protocols for monitoring their patrons’ intoxication considering the game involves throwing sharpened axes.
The axe throwing rules could come before the Board as early as May 11th. If adopted, they would take effect June 11th.
