Cota, February 11, 2026
In a swift 3-0 vote today, the Sawamish County Board of Commissioners passed Ordinance 2026-02-11-B, a controversial zoning shift that effectively bars anyone under 25 from entering establishments that sell alcohol or THC products.
By reclassifying these businesses as “Development Protection Zones,” the county is bypassing state age laws through strict land-use and business licensing requirements.
The ordinance is anchored by a 400-page report submitted by the Sawamish County Health Board, which argues that the “legal age” of 21 is a scientific relic. The report highlights two primary concerns:
• The human prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control and complex decision-making, is not fully “wired” until the mid-20s.
• Heavy THC and ethanol exposure before age 25 is linked to significant “structural thinning” of the cerebral cortex, potentially locking in cognitive deficits that cannot be reversed later in life.
“We are treating this as a building code issue,” explained Commissioner Timothy Fark. “If a structure isn’t load-bearing yet, you don’t put a ton of bricks on it. The brains of our 22-year-olds are not yet load-bearing. We are simply zoning for their structural integrity.”
Under the new rules, any business with a liquor or cannabis license must verify that 100% of their clientele are at least 25 years old or face immediate closures. The Commissioners acknowledged that this is only one part of the legal mountain in front of them, with Fark stating at a later press conference, “We’re well aware that businesses, both small ones and larger chains, are able to sell alcohol to the sub-25 age group, and we’re also aware that there is still no legal ramifications for being caught in possession of either alcohol or cannabis,” he admitted.
Fark continued, “Unfortunately, it seems that for right now we’re the only ones who are willing to try to make a difference here. Until the state and federal governments get involved, it’s up to us smaller municipalities to provide safe environments for our communities.”
County commissioner Susan Lanke stressed her desire to see this open up a broader conversation about the lack of scientifically backed regulations regarding the 25-and-under demographic of bar patrons and cannabis users. “We need to be talking about this more as a country, as a society. One day we’re going to look back and wonder how we ever let it get so bad.”
Local shop owners have already promised a legal firestorm, arguing that the county is overstepping state preemption. David Blanche, the owner of Tom’s Tavern in Cota, said, “Half of our clientele are alcoholic college freshmen. If we lose them, we could lose the business. I’m sure they all know about under developed prefrontal cortexes considering the requirement for their position.”
Nonetheless, the Commissioners remain unfazed, suggesting that if the State of Washington wants to challenge them, they’ll have to “prove in court that a 23-year-old’s brain is actually finished cooking.”
The ordinance takes effect June 1st 2026, leaving our quarter-lifers barhopping while they can as local businesses begin updating signage and regulations to comply with the new ordinance.
Sawamish County WA 