Seattle liquor and cannabis business amid coronavirus: Can they deliver?

For more coverage, visit our complete coronavirus section here.

As the spread of the novel coronavirus shutters restaurants and businesses across the Emerald City, what’s happening to our local distillers and dispensaries in this time of uncertainty?

“The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has been working quickly to consider steps the agency can take to help licensees throughout this period of business restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the LCB posted in a statement last week. “We are making some temporary modifications to allow businesses to act quickly.”

In an attempt to permit additional means to engage customers without opening the doors of distilleries and dispensaries across the state during stay-at-home orders, the LCB has made a few changes to the delivery regime.

Currently,  it is legal for liquor retailers to deliver spirits in the state of Washington, granted the customer is over 21 years of age.

While the board does not have the authority to change state laws regarding the business regulations to make this possible, a few measures have swooped in to support the local businesses, effective immediately.

First, the LCB has provided approval for distributors to pick up products from businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus. This also means distributors may provide a refund for the returned products, and will continue until April 1.

Retail licensees impacted by the closures may contact their distributors to request returns, and distributors should email Lieutenant Robert Knowles at knowles@lcb.wa.gov with the retail liquor license number(s) and products to be returned. With this information, the LCB will be able to better track the impacts of the current situation and plan for future response.

Note that distributors may not exchange products for different products per WAC 314-12-140.

Under another measure taken by the LCB, all alcohol licenses with “to-go” privileges for the sale of alcohol may immediately sell their products to customers outside of their business, but within the licensed property line.

Indeed, this means breweries may sell growlers to customers at curbside, and many have already taken the LCB up on this offer to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

As of late, the 101 North Eatery and Bar is doling out all manner of deliverable cocktail and sangria kits, many Washington breweries are divvying out curbside growlers, and per the Washington Wine Month of March, numerous wineries across the state are selling bargains of bottles for delivery.

For all of those without to-go privileges, they may still apply by filling out the Temporary Allowed Activities Form on the LCB website. The board is currently working with local authorities to waive or accelerate the 20-day local review requirement.

When it comes to all things delivery, all businesses with home-delivery privileges but who have not applied for the added delivery endorsement can utilize the Temporary Allowed Activities Form as the LCB continues to work with local authorities in waiving or accelerating the 20-day local review report as well.

Beyond all things alcohol, what about the cannabis industry?

Effective immediately, all cannabis retailers and qualified medical patients with valid authorization and recognition cards are not required to close due to the coronavirus, but to promote social distancing for qualified patients, the LCB is temporarily allowing cannabis retailers to sell to qualifying patients or their designated providers outside of their business but within the licensed property line. This is the same allowance provided to approved alcohol licensees during this time.

Drive-through windows are not permitted, and both qualified patients and designated providers must be entered into the Department of Health medical marijuana authorization database and provide valid recognition cards prior to the transactions.

Under the umbrella of taxes, fees, and penalties, the LCB does not have the authority to waive these costs, but is actively exploring deferment of taxes and fees to ease the payment obligations on licensees which sell alcohol and cannabis.

For additional updates, visit the coronavirus section of the LCB’s website.

Also see…

Washington distillers producing thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer

Complete guide to Seattle restaurants now offering curbsid take-out, delivery in your neighborhood

A comprehensive list of COVID-19 resources for Washington residents

As COVID-19 spreads in Seattle area, here’s how to stay social while social distancing