Washington is one step closer to selling legal weed

The Washington State Liquor Control Board Wednesday revised the draft rules for legal marijuana sales.

Regulators plan to limit the number of retail stores to 334 statewide. They will be allocated by population and demand as measured by the state marijuana consultant. King County will be allowed up to 61 stores, including 21 in the city of Seattle.

The Liquor Board now estimates that it could be next June before pot is actually sold in stores. That's three months later than the board estimated earlier this summer.

"Had we not taken the time we did to align with the federal government it's highly likely those stores never would have opened to begin with," said board member Chris Marr.

The revised rules limit the total amount of marijuana produced to 40 metric tons and limit the total space for marijuana production to 2 million square feet.

Three tiers of production levels are established based on square footage, which range from 2,000 to 30,000 square feet

There are also limits on the number of licenses a company can hold.

The board will hold hearings on these new rules in October.

The rules will be effective in November.

That's also when the state will begin accepting license applications for marijuana businesses.

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