Cannabis in Washington (state)

Seattle Hempfest, 2007

Cannabis in Washington is legal for medical purposes and for any purpose by adults over 21. Medical marijuana was legalized in Washington in 1998, and recreational use and sale of marijuana was legalized in 2008, through the Washington Initiative 502.

Prohibition (1923)

In 1923, the state of Washington criminalized cannabis.[1] House Bill 3 specified a prison term of one to ten years for possession or sale.[2]

Misdemeanor possession (1971)

In 1971, under RCW 69.50.4014,[3] the state legislature reduced possession of 40 grams or less to a misdemeanor.[4]

Medical marijuana (1998)

Washington Initiative 692 was to permit patients with certain debilitating conditions to use medical marijuana. Voters approved this initiative by 59%.[5]

Cannabis for personal non-prescription use (2012)

Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature, which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot, passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44 percent. Originally submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer of 2011,[6] enough signatures were collected and submitted by December to meet the required 241,153 signatures, sending it to the legislature.[7] When the legislature adjourned without action in April, Initiative 502 automatically advanced to the November 2012 general ballot.[8] It was approved by popular vote on November 6, and took effect over the course of a year, beginning with certification no later than December 6, 2012.[9] Along with Washington Referendum 74 to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, Initiative 502 was credited for encouraging voter turnout of 81%, the highest in the nation.[10] This initiative will allow adults over the age of 21 to legally possess up to 1 oz (28 g) of marijuana, 16 oz (450 g) of marijuana infused product in solid form, 72 oz (2.0 kg) of marijuana infused product in liquid form or any combination of all three and to legally consume marijuana, and marijuana infused products.[11]

Local laws

Prior to the passage of I-502, the city of Seattle in 2003 passed Initiative 75, which directed the Seattle Police Department to make marijuana possession its lowest priority.[12] Tacoma passed a similar initiative in 2011.[13]

References

  1. ↑ E.J. Sanna (2 September 2014). Marijuana: Mind-Altering Weed. Mason Crest. pp. 88–. ISBN 978-1-4222-9299-0.
  2. ↑ Jim Camden (April 20, 2017), "Marijuana making its way around circle from legal to illegal to legal", Spokesman-Review, Spokane
  3. ↑ Revised Code of Washington, Washington State Legislature
  4. ↑ Angela Dills, Sietse Goffard, and Jeffrey Miron (September 16, 2016), Dose of Reality: The Effect of State Marijuana Legalizations, Cato Institute, policy analysis 799 (executive summary)
  5. ↑ Green, Sara Jean (October 3, 2008). "State rule clarifies 60-day supply of medical marijuana". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  6. ↑ Reed, Sam; Washington State Secretary of State (2011), Proposed Initiative to the Legislature – 2011, retrieved August 27, 2011
  7. ↑ Zylstra, Brian (December 29, 2011), Marijuana measure petitions roll in, retrieved December 29, 2011
  8. ↑ Kaminsky, Jonathan (February 9, 2012), "Initiative to legalize marijuana will go to voters", SeattlePI, retrieved February 21, 2012
  9. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (November 6, 2012). "Voters agree to legalize pot". Seattle Times. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  10. ↑ Reed, Sam (December 5, 2012). "Gregoire & Reed certify 2012 election, including marriage & marijuana laws". News Release. Washington State Secretary of State. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  11. ↑ Bly, Laura (November 7, 2012). "Colorado, Washington OK Recreational Marijuana Use". USA Today. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  12. ↑ "The Sensible Seattle Coalition, Sponsors of I-75". yeson75.org. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Tacoma Passes Lowest Priority Marijuana Initiative". stopthedrugwar.org. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
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