Commissioners reject pot store in Rosburg

by Rick Nelson

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday rejected a distance waiver request that would have allowed the establishment of a marijuana store in Rosburg.

Kathleen M. Nelson of Kelso had requested the waiver. She owns recreational marijuana businesses in Kelso and Longview. She said she wants to re-open the Rosburg Store. She would operate it as a convenience store, including gas sales, and also have a small section for sale of marijuana.

"We have invested $25,000 into a priority one license and have made arrangements to purchase the Rosburg convenience store/deli/gas station on SR 4," she said.

However, she learned after starting the project that Johnson Park and the Grays River Valley Center are just across the highway and up the hill, and state law prohibits marijuana stores that close to parks and schools.

"It cannot be seen from the highway, and we were told it was a senior center," she said.

She asked the board to grant a waiver to the setback, which is allowed in state law.

She found no support for the request.

"The people of the district do not want us to grant a waiver," said Commissioner Blair Brady. "I will not support a waiver."

Commissioner Dan Cothren repeated previous opposition to legal marijuana.

"We don't need another drug in our society," he said. "I'll never vote for marijuana."

"I got a ton of email on this," said Commissioner Mike Backman. "Not one in favor, over and over again."

Cothren moved, and Backman seconded a motion to deny the request.

Deep River resident Nick Nikkola presented a petition signed by 120 people in opposition to the waiver request.

The board voted 3-0 to deny the request.