Washington was ahead of its time when it first approved weed for medical and casual use. If you’re looking to get an answer to “Is weed legal in Washington or not? Let’s figure it out. There are no prohibitions on the purchase, possession, or sale of cannabis inside the state. The legalization of marijuana in Washington was approved in a vote in 2014, and the first sales at retail stores and dispensaries began the following year, in 2015.
Marijuana Laws in Washington: Is Weed Legal in Washington?
Voters in 2012 approved Initiative 502, making it legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess and use marijuana. As per the state’s legislation, each resident may legally carry up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants. The Liquor and Cannabis Board governs the sales and distribution of marijuana in Washington. However, it’s important to stress that federal law still considers marijuana illegal, so anybody caught in possession of, using, or selling the drug might face criminal charges.
The Evolution of Marijuana Use in Washington
In 1845, a group of people in the Washington state area used marijuana for the first time. The drug’s popularity increased for therapeutic and recreational uses in the early 20th century. Washington was one of the first states to make it illegal to own or sell marijuana in 1912. Possession and selling of marijuana remained banned despite a few minor adjustments to the legislation during the subsequent decades.
The state reduced the penalty for possessing minor quantities of the narcotic from a felony to a misdemeanor in 1971. Among the first states to do so, Washington legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. The state legislature approved Initiative 502, which legalized marijuana usage for anyone over 21 in limited quantities. This statute and others that followed formed the system of governed cultivators, processors, and sellers.
Is Medical Marijuana Allowed in Washington State?
Yes, since 1998, Washington has had an authorized medical marijuana program. Medical marijuana patients in California are entitled to access to cannabis products grown and tested to the same rigorous standards as those available to recreational users, according to SB 5052, signed into law in 20157b. There is a three-ounce limit on flowers, a 48-ounce limit on edibles, and a 21-gram limit on cannabis extracts for those with a medical marijuana card. Legally, a medical marijuana user may cultivate up to 15 plants.
What Does Washington’s Future for Cannabis Legalization Look Like?
Washington has been slow to pass more cannabis legislation, putting the state behind competitors like Colorado, California, and Illinois. The state of Washington’s cannabis industry has been stifled by regulations that limit who may own businesses, restrict the number of available licenses, and set a ceiling of five retail outlets. If federal legalization continues, such constraints might hurt the state’s ability to compete nationally.
How Much Weed Can You Purchase in Washington?
One significant difference between buying cannabis for medicinal purposes and buying it for recreational purposes is the quantity available to each group. The amount of cannabis that medical patients may purchase and keep is increased. Patients with a valid medical marijuana card can cultivate up to 6 plants, yielding up to 8 ounces of useable marijuana.
While legalizing cannabis for recreational use will increase availability, this will not be a free-for-all. Legitimate distribution and control are governed by legislation. Recreational users are subject to their limits as well. One ounce of useable marijuana, sixteen ounces of edible marijuana, seventy-two ounces of liquid marijuana, or seven grams of concentrate are the maximum amounts they may carry.
How Much Weed Are You Able to Purchase in Washington?
If you want to stay on the right side of the law while smoking marijuana on private property, there are a few things you need to know. Smoking accessories, including pipes and bongs, and less than an ounce of usable marijuana are legal. In addition, you may carry up to 16 ounces of a fused marijuana product and no more than 7 grams of concentrated marijuana. Read this blog about weed measurements to find out how much weed is good for you.
To reiterate, using marijuana is illegal in all public places and is only tolerated on private property with the owner’s consent. Dried marijuana blossoms are all that is allowed under Washington state law. Cannabis-infused beverages, including soda, are also included in the category of infused marijuana products, along with baked goods like brownies and cookies.
Conclusion
Public smoking is prohibited across the state of Washington. This guideline applies to both cigarette smoke and marijuana smoke. Use of the substance for recreational purposes is authorized, but only in private homes.
Many Washington state and national parks are under the jurisdiction of federal agencies, making it illegal to consume marijuana while engaging in federally sanctioned activities like camping, skiing, or boating. Marijuana usage is strictly prohibited in guest rooms, and guests who violate this policy may face monetary sanctions.
