A Bellevue recreational marijuana business was caught selling pot to a minor, but officials say that underage marijuana sales are minor compared to liquor and tobacco sales.

Bellevue Marijuana on 116th Avenue Northeast was cited by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board on Sept. 29 after a manager and store employee both checked an underage girl’s license but allowed her to enter the store and buy marijuana.

According to an evidence report, state liquor and marijuana enforcement officers conducted a compliance check with a 19-year-old investigative aide at Bellevue Marijuana a.k.a. Bel-Mar. After entering the store the manager checked the aide’s valid Washington driver’s license, which showed that she was 19.

Under state law, no one under the age of 21 is allowed to enter a recreational marijuana store or purchase any marijuana products. The aide reported that no one asked her age or used any ID checking equipment.

After the manager allowed her inside of the store, an employee helped the aide purchase $12 worth of marijuana. The employee reportedly did not ask for identification.

It was the second time in a year that Bellevue Marijuana has been cited for violating state marijuana codes.

Parents across the Eastside have voiced concerns about the proximity of marijuana retailers and processors to underage children.

Bellevue resident Sonja Winters said that she was concerned about minors getting access to marijuana and wants parents to be aware of the compliance violations that have occurred, like at Bellevue Marijuana.

A group called Parents Against Marijuana Near Schools has protested several proposed marijuana stores in Bellevue. The group did not respond to requests for comment, but have previously stated in petitions and on their website that they are concerned for their children’s safety.

“Even though one must be 21 to enter the store there is nothing to stop sales to minors when a client leaves the store. I believe that marijuana is a gateway drug,” resident Kathy Judkins said.

Other residents and business owners have stated they believe marijuana shops bring criminals and drugs users into a neighborhood. The Bellevue City Council continues to debate the city’s marijuana policies.

Since May 2014, less than a dozen of the 111 licensed recreational and medical marijuana retailers on the Eastside have been cited by the state liquor and cannabis board for violating state codes.

The September bust was the first time, however, that any marijuana retailer in the city has been caught selling to underage buyers. According to data from the police department and city, marijuana legalization has not led to an increase in crime and arrests for youth marijuana use has actually decreased.

Licensees in Bellevue, Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland and Issaquah have been cited for various violations. But only five retailers, Bellevue Marijuana included, have been caught allowing a minor onto their premises or selling to a minor in the last 30 months.

Statewide, the liquor and cannabis board recorded 25 instances were marijuana retailers sold to minors in 2015. In comparison, there were 458 violations regarding alcohol sales or service to minors.

Illegal tobacco sales reached their highest level since 1997 last year. More than one in six retailers were found to have sold tobacco to underage persons, according to the state Department of Health.

State Liquor and Cannabis Board spokesperson Mikhail Carpenter said the low rate of violations is likely due to the fact that the consequences are higher.

“Marijuana compliance is actually higher than the liquor and spirits retailers,” he said.

A first-time offense for selling marijuana to a minor will lead to a 10-day suspension or $2,500 fine and a second time offense yields a 30-day suspension. A restaurant or business caught selling alcohol to a minor faces a five-day suspension or $500 fine for their first offense and a seven-day suspension for their second offense.

Selling marijuana to a minor is also a class C felony under state law and can lead to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Illegal alcohol sales are considered a “civil infraction” under state law with a maximum $250 penalty.

The state board continues to investigate possible marijuana violations, with each retailer receiving a compliance check at least once per year.





