OLYMPIA – Marijuana stores in Washington could be banned from putting anything on a billboard that would appeal to children or young adults.

The Senate approved an update to the state’s evolving marijuana laws, allowing for the sale and transport of some plants to researchers, and additional regulatory authority for local governments. It bars the use of cartoon characters or other things that might target children.

“This is just a common sense thing we can do,” Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, the bill’s sponsor, said.

Although the bill was sent to the House on a 48-0 vote, some senators said they thought it should go farther and completely ban marijuana billboards, just as cigarettes are banned.

“We are loaded with billboards,” Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said. “I don’t think they are helping the situation at all.”