Washington state is warning dozens of people who applied to run legal marijuana shops that their chance of getting a license is in jeopardy.
The Liquor Control Board on Wednesday began sending letters to 56 businesses. The board says they scored lucky numbers in lotteries conducted in April, putting them in a good position to win a coveted marijuana retail license, but they haven't moved forward with their applications since then.
Becky Smith, the board's marijuana licensing manager, says some of the applicants may never have really intended to get into the retail pot business. She says many hoped to get a license and then sell their business — but they don't have a license yet and that's made it difficult to sell.
Others are still trying to lease a viable property for their pot shop.
The letters give the applicants 60 days to schedule an interview with a state license investigator.
