Washington State’s Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has deployed new rules aimed at curtailing odors associated with producing and processing marijuana, the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board announced in an email this week.
“Marijuana odors and compounds can degrade air quality and create a nuisance to others,” the release said. “Producers and processors of marijuana are sources of both odors and volatile organic compounds which are defined as air contaminants under the Washington Clean Air Act.”
Under the new rules, facilities in King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Pierce counties emitting such types of contaminants must obtain an Order of Approval from the PSCAA.
Prospective producers must file a Notice of Construction permit which requires a steep $1,150 filing fee. Applicants must include the facility type, expected square-footage of canopy size, expected yield, and odor control equipment details; such as schematics and specifications.
In February, Alan Rathbun, member of the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, indicated that the board had received comments from the public regarding potential odor issues but decided it would be up to environmental agencies, such as the PSCAA, to determine if steps were needed to address the issue.
“We have consistently communicated with our potential applicants that there may be many other regulations that they may face outside the requirements for obtaining a producer, processor or retail marijuana license,” he said in an interview with the Seattle-based Municipal Research and Services Center.
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