Washington State's Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) yesterday issued an emergency suspension of the Tier 2 Producer/Processor license for Dank Incorporated in Port Angeles.
The suspension follows a joint investigation with the Washington State Patrol's Cannabis Enforcement Response Team that found serious violations of state cannabis laws.
Based on information arising from an investigation into criminal cannabis growing and distribution activity, a search warrant was issued for the licensee’s business address in November. At this location "untagged" cannabis plants and cannabis plants whose tags had previously been used were located, both are violations of state cannabis laws due to the potential for diversion outside of the regulated cannabis market.
As a result, approximately 5,000 cannabis plants were seized by the LCB.
Additionally, on or between June 2021 and present, the licensee violated Washington's "true party of interest/financier" law (WAC 314-55-035) by allowing undisclosed and/or approved persons, affiliated with a criminal enterprise to control the day-to-day operations and engaged and/or permitted criminal conduct.
Based on the seriousness of the violations and the conduct of the licensee, including traceability, true party of interest, criminal conduct, probable diversion into the illegal cannabis market, and the likelihood the licensee will commit these violations in the future, the LCB found that these activities constitute a direct and immediate threat to the public health and safety. Therefore, the LCB approved an emergency suspension of the license, which will remain suspended for a period of 180 days during which the LCB will seek permanent revocation.
Emergency suspensions represent an extraordinary exercise of the state's power and the LCB is mandated to ensure that an emergency suspension is reasonable, justifiable and legal.
The licensee for Dank Incorporated, dba Dank Inc. is Michael Green. The company is located at 12 North Gales St., Suite A in Port Angeles, WA.
