Local News

9 Retailers Pass Compliance Checks

Dec 21, 2017

On Wednesday Dec 20^th, Omak Police Department and Oroville Police Department in partnership with Okanogan County Community Coalition conducted alcohol and marijuana compliance checks in Omak and Okanogan. A total of 7 businesses were checked for alcohol sales law compliance, and 4 for marijuana compliance. All four marijuana businesses (Fire Cannabis Co., Sage Shop, Forbidden Cannabis, and Caribou Cannabis) refused to sell to Omak Police Department’s underage operative. Five alcohol retailers also refused to sell to the underage operative and they include: Omak Chevron, Stampede Mini Market, Rite Aid, Safeway, and Omache Chevron.

Unfortunately, employees of Omak Travel Plaza and the Dawg House were cited by police for furnishing alcohol to a minor, which is a gross misdemeanor and punishable up to a year in jail and a $5000 fine (RCW 66.44.217(1)) The violations will also be reported to the Washington State Liquor Cannabis Board who will determine what kind of administrative action will be taken against the business owners. Administrative actions can include fines, 5-30 days license suspensions, or both. Repeat violations can result in a liquor license being revoked.

According to Okanogan County Community Coalition’s Co-Director, Stacey Okland, the annual Community Survey conducted each fall consistently illustrates that over 90% of adults in the Omak area do not approve of underage drinking and support legal consequences for adults providing alcohol or marijuana to minors. And, research on alcohol compliance checks indicates that when compliance checks are performed frequently and with recognition for those who were successful the number of sales to minors is reduced dramatically, so Okanogan County Community Coalition will continue to use local coalition funds to conduct compliance checks to ensure that local alcohol and marijuana retailers maintain their compliance with Washington State alcohol and marijuana laws.

Okland said, "We congratulate the alcohol retailers that did not sell, and we are pleased that all marijuana retailers are doing their part to make sure young people under 21 are not purchasing marijuana in our community."