Cannabis Code Update
Take the community survey to let us know what you think about allowing cannabis retail in unincorporated Lewis County.
Background
Lewis County is seeking sustainable funding to help support essential local services, including public safety, infrastructure, and community programs. Cannabis sales currently are permitted in our surrounding counties and in Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine, Winlock, Toledo, Vader, and Mossyrock. Between July 2023 and June 2024, cannabis sales in in these cities totaled roughly $9 million. While the state collects a 37% excise tax on those sales, local jurisdictions that permit retail locations receive a dedicated portion of shared state tax revenue. Allowing retail locations in unincorporated Lewis County—such as in Packwood and the I5/Highway 12 interchange—could provide a modest but ongoing increase in local funding.
Code Amendments
Currently, Lewis County Code requires a federal license to operate cannabis retail or production in Lewis County. By removing that requirement and relying on the Washington State license, cannabis retail and production would be allowed. Along with making this change, Lewis County is considering amending the development regulations to limit where cannabis retail and production would be allowed. As the project moves forward, draft Lewis County Code amendments will be provided for public review under materials on this webpage.
Materials
Get Involved
If Lewis County proceeds with allowing cannabis retail and production, along with code amendment, the next step will be meetings with the Lewis County Planning Commission. Please subscribe to the Lewis County Planning Announcements to receive notifications about upcoming opportunities.