Planning panel nears finish on new marijuana ordinance

Whitman County Planner Alan Thomson reported to county commissioners Tuesday that the county planning commission is nearly done with its work to write a new ordinance for commercial marijuana operations in the county.

Thomson noted that the group's next meeting, Feb. 5, may bring a decision.

County Prosecutor Denis Tracy sat in on the last meeting to advise on wording.

Once the commission finishes the document, and before it goes to county commissioners, it first is required to be sent for a State Environmental Policy Act review. That will be followed by a public hearing. These steps may take...