Washington State, Home of Seattle, Free Willy, and Apple Orchards–Also has full legalization for the ganja……They have help pave the way for further legalization or even full decriminalization– Becoming a state that have medicinal and recreational uses.
This opens a wide variety for the potential Carrier-Courier-Delivery Service. This one simple step of full legalization adds the potential to triple the customer base of the state operators businesses. Capitalizing on this opportunity, takes time, a bit of knowledge–at least how to hire a regulation savvy person, or placing a known operator in charge of the primary.
Washington is one of the states where they, like Michigan—do not wish to have vehicle markings on the authorized transporters. That is what I call smart thinking. However, their regulations are allowing security personnel, to carry a firearm….In my opinion, is just adding trouble: Even during a stickup–the drivers are least likely to be harmed without a firearm. Teaching proper defensive driving techniques, double locking cargo, even triple with the exterior lids or doors—cost time—people who steal do not have that luxury—from what I am told.
In Washington they allow their common carriers–under the authority of Washington State DOT- to become authorized by their board….
RCW 69.50.382
Common carriers—Transportation or delivery of marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, immature plants or clones, marijuana seeds, and marijuana-infused products—Employees prohibited from carrying or using firearm during such services—Exceptions—Use of state ferry routes.
(1) A licensed marijuana producer, marijuana processor, marijuana researcher, or marijuana retailer, or their employees, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the administrative rules adopted thereunder, may use the services of a common carrier subject to regulation under chapters 81.28 and 81.29 RCW and licensed in compliance with the regulations established under RCW 69.50.385, to physically transport or deliver, as authorized under this chapter, marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, immature plants or clones, marijuana seeds, and marijuana-infused products between licensed marijuana businesses located within the state.(2) An employee of a common carrier engaged in marijuana-related transportation or delivery services authorized under subsection (1) of this section is prohibited from carrying or using a firearm during the course of providing such services, unless:(a) Pursuant to RCW 69.50.385, the state liquor and cannabis board explicitly authorizes the carrying or use of firearms by such employee while engaged in the transportation or delivery services;(b) The employee has an armed private security guard license issued pursuant to RCW 18.170.040; and(c) The employee is in full compliance with the regulations established by the state liquor and cannabis board under RCW 69.50.385.(3) A common carrier licensed under RCW 69.50.385 may, for the purpose of transporting and delivering marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, and marijuana-infused products, utilize Washington state ferry routes for such transportation and delivery.(4) The possession of marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, and marijuana-infused products being physically transported or delivered within the state, in amounts not exceeding those that may be established under RCW 69.50.385(3), by a licensed employee of a common carrier when performing the duties authorized under, and in accordance with, this section and RCW 69.50.385, is not a violation of this section, this chapter, or any other provision of Washington state law.RCW 69.50.385
Common carriers—Licensing—State liquor and cannabis board to adopt rules.
(1) The state liquor and cannabis board must adopt rules providing for an annual licensing procedure of a common carrier who seeks to transport or deliver marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, and marijuana-infused products within the state.(2) The rules for licensing must:(a) Establish criteria for considering the approval or denial of a common carrier’s original application or renewal application;(b) Provide minimum qualifications for any employee authorized to drive or operate the transportation or delivery vehicle, including a minimum age of at least twenty-one years;(c) Address the safety of the employees transporting or delivering the products, including issues relating to the carrying of firearms by such employees;(d) Address the security of the products being transported, including a system of electronically tracking all products at both the point of pickup and the point of delivery; and(e) Set reasonable fees for the application and licensing process.(3) The state liquor and cannabis board may adopt rules establishing the maximum amounts of marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, and marijuana-infused products that may be physically transported or delivered at one time by a common carrier as provided under RCW69.50.382.
Their Insurance requirements for Common Carriers minimums:
These Insurance Requirements show the following
- The name on the insurance form MUST MATCH EXACTLY the individual, partners, or
corporate name on your application for a permit or certificate. It may include a d/b/a or
trade name.
• Insurance forms must be received from an insurance company authorized to write insurance
in the state of Washington. You may check with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner
to determine if your insurance company is authorized in Washington.
• All insurance forms must include:
The policy number.
The name of the insurance company.
The signature of the insurance company’s authorized representative.
An issue date and effective date.
Cargo Insurance
If you are a household goods carrier, you must maintain proof of cargo insurance at your place
of business. For vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds, you must have
$10,000 minimum levels of cargo insurance. For vehicles 10,000 pounds or more, you must
have $20,000 minimum levels.
Liability Insurance I highly recommend at least $1,000,000. That may seem like a lot–but it is not when you start talking about public protection as well as carrier protection in the industry…..I like to see $2,000,000, but you can always get an umbrella for additional liability and Cargo.
IF you are going to be operating at GROSS WEIGHT —- vehicle full of fuel, 2 man team (operational discretion here), Full of Fuel, and Cargo—–under 10k lbs—Yes that means you should go weigh the vehicle and place your cargo weight minimum, and maximum loading—— Then the State of Washington only requires $10,000 in Cargo—-
Anything over the 10k lbs of Gross–which most vehicles used by everyday people will be under the 10k full Gross.
Anyone who wishes to cross the threshold—will have a minimum cargo of $20,000.
I recommend you plan extensively- and decide how you wish to operate—plan accordingly—Commercial customers may demand the additional cargo—- however, if I were a betting man—I would set my cargo for a courier around the $50k range just due to the potential to carry or transport grow operations to retailers—You may need additional cargo even then–however what most do not realize is that you can lock in an additional contingent cargo policy—almost immediately upon need. about an hour and you got a 30 day policy-6 months-1 yr…..
Contingent Cargo Policies–typically are used by brokers and carriers—-however, brokers use them to protect their position in a cargo shipment in case the policy of the transporter does not cover full value these policies relieve holders of any potential liability.
In Washington, I would set state into zones- 4 or 6 —each zone would handle it’s pickups, so that deliveries returning could get the operators back close to their areas of operation. Local guys and regionals. Locals handle all the immediate local deliveries for each customer and their call ins for transport. I recommend a 12 on 12 off schedule, with the regional guys being used to fill the gaps of the local demands when long transports and larger transfers are not readily available/
Utilizing the technology–would allow the common carrier to implement proper procedures and protocol. It also gives the dispatch and office people the implementation of electronic dispatching and safety standby if anything is needed by the field guys. This gives a second eye in case of emergency. This also keeps the Carrier ahead of competition by allowing the customers to get a potential log in to the Carrier system to check their delivery(s) in real time based on delivery schedule.
—-Yes just like the larger carriers of trucking–if I operated one of these—I would hire Owner Operators to drive for my carrier- This would allow the transporter carrier to grow at a faster rate—and give a maximum profit potential– Say you have 3 local (10 miles or less deliveries) for $65 each. The owner operator could be looking at $146 in earnings Gross—-for the 3 local deliveries…….
Potential is there. Just depends on the transporters getting in these markets. Are they all gonna be vultures, or will they make a collaborating rate set —-in conjunction with the customer base—Volume is Volume—-BUT QUALITY and DEPENDABILITY mean more to the customer than you could imagine……….
Additional Resources:
http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=69.50.382
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.50.385
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