By Peninsula Daily News

and Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Marijuana business license applications keep rolling in in Washington.

The state Liquor Control Board says it has received 1,696 applications from people seeking permission to grow, process or sell cannabis under the new recreational marijuana law.

The application window opened Nov. 18, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Of the applications received so far, 794 are for growing licenses, 579 are for processing licenses and 323 are for retailing licenses. The state isn’t capping the number of growers or processors, but says it will only allow 334 pot shops statewide.

It’s allocated 21 of those stores for Seattle.

So far there are 54 applications for those licenses, which is expected to trigger a lottery.

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has recently asked the liquor board to boost to 50 the number of stores allowed in Seattle. He says limiting the number of pot shops too strictly would allow the black market to continue to flourish and threaten the success of the law.

North Olympic Peninsula outlets

Clallam County will be allowed six retail outlets: two in the city of Port Angeles, one in the city of Sequim and three others anywhere else in the county.

Jefferson County will be allowed four retail outlets: one in the city of Port Townsend and three anywhere else in the county.

(See previous Nov. 26 story, “Marijuana could be sold in stores by next summer; 10 Peninsula firms apply” — https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131127/NEWS/311279993)