Multiple Changes to Washington’s Medical Cannabis Law Now in Effect
Several provisions found in Washington State’s Senate Bill 5052, signed by Governor Jay Inslee in April, go into effect today, July 24th. Although most of the changes are regressive, such as eliminating in-home collective gardens, post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries have been added to the list of qualifying medical cannabis conditions.
One change that goes into effect today is a ban on the use of butane in the production of hash oil, unless the individual or company producing the substance has a license from the state’s Liquor Control Board. This means that currently operating medical cannabis dispensaries will need to cease producing and (unless it was produced before the new law went into effect) selling butane hash oil, commonly referred to as BHO.
Another provision that’s now in effect makes it so that healthcare professionals cannot have a practice that consists primarily of authorizing medical cannabis patients. Physicians who write more than 30 authorizations in a month will need to report to the state, and checkups must occur at the physicians physical business.
Yet another provision makes it so that patients can no longer cultivate more than 15 plants in a housing unit, even if multiple patients are living at the location, effectively eliminating in-home collective gardens.
Some of the most impactful provision of Senate Bill 5052, such as the closure of medical cannabis dispensaries and a drastic reduction in the amount of cannabis patients can possess and cultivate, goes into effect next July.
A team of attorneys is currently working to have Senate Bill 5052 overturned; they are currently running a GoFundMe page to help fund a series of lawsuits.
– TheJointBlog
Richard
5052 was joke I voted no because I knew the state was lying to us when they said legalizing it would not effect medical patients right . State store prices are out of reach of patients. So the state has just given the black market is the only place where a patient can get there meds.
So governor and politicians thank you for for being about the money and not patients rights in the end you reap what you sow
David
It’s good new’s about PTSD and TBI’s becoming State qualifying conditions. Again, I question how a State which repealed it’s 1998 Medical marijuana law can even add qualifyinfg conditions. But I’m not a lawyer, so maybe they understand it. This affects a relatively small percentage of medical patients in Washington. That said these two items are indeed the ONLY good news for medical patients that I can see coming from from SB 5052. The remainder of the provisions in this law are punitive and regressive in nature.
They used this bill laughingly called “The Patient Protection Act” That’s quite a Noms de plume. This law is Primarily directed toward reducing medical patient grow and possession amounts, limits on which BHO oil can be purchased or not (If it doesn’t have an LCB’s Cartel stamp of approval on it ….. not allowed).
My question is: How does this not come between me advocating on behalf of my own health and my physician as well? If cannabis is now legal why does the State get to chose which medicine works for me ? If we can purchase only locally made BHO, Good luck finding it, (it’s illegal now to make BHO at home)
Speaking of luck. Good luck finding a medical professional to write a medical marijuana authorization. Primary care Doctor’s work at clinic’s and Hospitals which are very strict about adhering to Federal law for insurance purposes and other reasons. No cannabis authorizations there. And here’s another major problem that apparently wasn’t thought through very well.
. Having a good relationship with a good dedicated local ND (Naturopathic Doctor) or a PA , (Physician’s Asst.). is a blessing. However, they’re leaving. Disappearing from Washington In droves. Any of these medical professionals who write 30 or more authorizations a month, now must report them to the State. This outbound exodus of generations of medical knowledge is a brain drain Washington can ill afford to lose to other States.
David
Richard
The Seattle Times reported a poll of Washington’s elected officials Thursday. It doesn’t look good for them at all. They don’t specifically mention I-502 and the WLCB’s decision to kill Washington’s 1998 MMJ laws . The Governor’s office has taken a big hit in the polls. I believe this can be partially attributed to his cave to the Looney-birds in Washington’s new Republican State Senate majority (who brought us this mess).
Could 2014 have been any worse when it came to marijuana reform ? Putting Republican’s in charge of reform in a Blue State like Washington at the worst possible time in it’s history. This is why I’m moving. Not because the laws suck (they do) Rather voter apathy. Washington will soon be a big red sore thumb-sticking out in the Pacific NW if voters keep staying home and turning our State over to politicians who share the views with their counterparts in the Old Southern Confederacy The further West one travels in America, the more ignorance and stupidity member’s of the Republican Party display….. until you run out of land.
Katharine
I’m low income with chronic pain and ptsd. My medical license is up for renewal and now instead of $75 to renew, I have to come up with $200. Cannabis is the only medicine I take for either condition. If I am forced to switch pills, I will likely become an addict (addiction runs rampant on both sides of my family), the pills will cost a lot more than cannabis, will prevent me from being a mother to my special needs child, and likely not help my ptsd nearly as much as cannabis does. So I guess it’s black market for me.