ROYAL CITY - Washington's new industry - marijuana - is growing like a weed.

Grant County commissioners have approved three more marijuana growing operations, making the total of county-approved growers 18.

Millicent, in Royal City and Titan Weed Company, in Warden, were approved as smaller marijuana growers and processors. Evolution Design Concepts in Mattawa was approved as a large-scale grower.

On the retail front, Ephrata may soon have two pot shops. The state Liquor Control Board, which regulates the industry, identified applicants for potential retail marijuana store locations that were not part of a recent lottery, including two locations in Ephrata.

According to the application, Thomas, Susan and Kai Ralls applied to open Purple Rainbow at 7835 Hwy. 23 Suite B. Richard Reimers applied to open High Times Station at 1448 Basin St. NW.

The applicants could not be reached for comment.

All applicants will be reviewed by the state, and licenses are scheduled to be issued in early July. They must pass background checks, financial investigations and meet other requirements to obtain a license.

The WSLCB states it will use a point system in judging criminal history, excluding anyone convicted of a felony or two gross misdemeanors. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions will result in additional points.

Retail stores must be at least 1,000 feet from facilities such as schools, child care centers, playgrounds, public transit, arcades and libraries, according to the WSLCB website.

Lottery winners were announced last week in most cities and counties. Moses Lake was the only city in Grant County to be included in the lottery, with five applicants vying for two retail locations.

The Liquor Control Board is allowing seven retail locations in Grant County, including three at large, one in Ephrata, one in Quincy and two in Moses Lake. No applicants were included for potential locations in Quincy.

Quincy City Administrator Tim Snead said that the city is awaiting a recommendation from the city planning department before allowing any retail stores.

The city planner will make a recommendation to the city council but has yet to set a date for that.