Lynnwood holds public hearing on proposed retail cannabis rules; council to deliberate Sept. 22

City staff and the Planning Commission outlined a draft ordinance Sept. 8 that would lift Lynnwood’s ban on retail cannabis in specified commercial zones and set local buffer rules, and the City Council took public testimony before closing the hearing and scheduling ordinance consideration for Sept. 22.

The presentation by planning staff said the Planning Commission recommends permitting retail cannabis in Alderwood City Center, Planned Commercial Development, General Commercial and Highway 99 Mixed Use zones. The draft keeps a 1,000‑foot exclusion from primary and secondary schools and proposes a reduced 300‑foot buffer for a second tier of “restricted entities” (down from a previously discussed 1,000 feet), while the council previously debated allowing a 100‑foot buffer for some uses. Staff clarified that the 1,000‑foot buffer for playgrounds applies to future playgrounds that are part of an adopted capital facilities plan or a site‑specific council action; it does not prevent an existing…