YAKIMA, Wash. – The Board of Yakima County Commissioners decided to put a non-binding advisory measure on the ballot for the November 2025 general election that will ask voters if the county should maintain its cannabis ban in unincorporated areas.
Commissioner Kyle Curtis highlighted the financial implications, stating, “Due to the County’s explicit ban on cannabis in our Unincorporated, the County has left millions of dollars on the table that could have been utilized towards substance abuse prevention programs and public safety.”
Currently, Yakima County cannot benefit from the state’s 37% cannabis excise tax due to its ban, missing out on an estimated $400,000 to $500,000 annually.
This ban has also prevented over 60 businesses from operating within the county, Curtis said in a release.
In 2014, the county enacted Ordinance 4-2014, which established zoning restrictions prohibiting cannabis-related businesses in unincorporated areas. In a 2017 advisory measure, 58% of voters supported retaining the ban.
The upcoming measure, Proposition No. 1, is non-binding, but the Board will consider voter feedback in their policy discussions.
