Would-be Lynnwood pot retailer sues state liquor board

Published 3:52 pm Thursday, July 17, 2014

SEATTLE — A would-be Washington marijuana seller is suing the state Liquor Control Board over his failure to obtain a retail license.

Pete O’Neil, the owner of C &C Shops, wants a license to operate in Lynnwood, but in a lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court on Thursday he said officials refused to process his online application over a signature issue. His attorney, Nancy Pacharzina, said he signed the application electronically while at the same time apparently clicking a box by mistake that said he would provide a paper copy.

The board has an unallocated retail license for Lynnwood, so O’Neil said that if he meets all other requirements, the license should be his.

Liquor Control Board spokesman Mikhail Carpenter said the agency has not yet seen the lawsuit and can’t comment.