Marijuana, airport project among topics at joint meet

Gazette intern reporter

The joint meeting of the Pullman and Moscow city councils Wednesday, July 20, in Moscow highlighted recent collaboration between the two cities.

Relevant topics discussed between Pullman and Moscow city council members and staff included the impact of marijuana on the Palouse, water conservation programs with Moscow and Pullman public works directors Les MacDonald and Kevin Gardes, the Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport's impact on regional economic development and regional emergency response with Moscow Fire Chief Brian Nickerson, Pullman Fire Chief Mike Heston, Moscow Police Chief James Fry and Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins.

It was reported at the meeting that Pullman is benefitting from the increase in marijuana retail stores, due to the high tax on the product of 37 percent. The city itself receives $6,000 per month.

Together, the three retail pot shops gross sales total is about $225,000 per month during the academic school year. No major increase in marijuana related incidents has been reported, according to Chief Fry and Chief Jenkins.

“We flag reports when we come across marijuana purchases from Washington,” said Chief Fry, “and we have only had six cases since the law has come into effect.”

Pullman City Planner Pete Dickinson noted the state Liquor and Control Board does compliance checks with the stores.

"Usually, it's sending minors in to make a purchase (at retail pot shops and liquor stores),” said Dickinson. “But actually, 90 percent of the pot shops are compliant, whereas liquor stores are at 81 percent.”

Ninety percent compliant means that 90 percent of the pot shops correctly ID customers.

On the construction front, the major project which broke ground July 11 at the airport has already seen 40,000 cubic yards of earth moved, according to Tony Bean, director at the airport.

An estimated 3.2 million cubic yards is still to be relocated.

“All of the economic impact from the project is going straight back into the community,” said Bean.

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson spoke about how airport officials have been communicating with other airline carriers, regarding operations at the airport once construction is complete. Alaska Airlines is the only airline carrier now serving the airport.

“Alaska/Horizon is very competitive with people telling me how it's more affordable to fly out of Pullman,” said Johnson. “This is the main reason we are doing this project is so we can expand and keep commercial service available and affordable.”

The hope of airport and city officials is to see more flights become available once construction is complete.

“A flight to Boise or Salt Lake is coming,” said Lambert. “It's coming.”