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New Medical Cannabis Law Now in Effect in Washington State

July 1, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Drastic changes to Washington State’s medical cannabis law are now in effect, as of Friday, July 1st. Among the changes is an over 80% reduction in the amount of cannabis a patient can possess and cultivate, and the introduction of a patient database that some attorneys say is against federal HIPAA laws.

Under the new law – Senate Bill 5052 – patients can possess up to an ounce of cannabis, whereas they were previously allowed to have up to 24 ounces in their possession; if they join the patient registry, they can possess up to three ounces. As for cultivating cannabis, patients’ limits are dropping from 15 plants, to four, or six if they join the registry.

Washington State’s New Medical Cannabis Law Takes Effect July 1st

June 16, 2016June 15, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Senate Bill 5052, a Washington measure to close every medical cannabis dispensary that’s not licensed with the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board while drastically reducing the amount of cannabis qualified patients can possess and cultivate, takes full effect on July 1st.

Senate Bill 5052 – signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on April 24, 2015 – requires all non-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries to shut their doors. The new law (titled the Cannabis Patient Protection Act) also reduces the amount of cannabis a patient can possess by over 80%; if an individual joins a patient registry, they can possess three ounces of cannabis, down from the current limit of 24 ounces, and can cultivate up to six plants, down from 15. If they don’t join the registry, their possession limit is just one ounce, and their cultivation limit just four plants.

Firms File Multiple Complaints Against Seattle Mayor to Protect Cannabis Patient’s Rights

September 30, 2015September 29, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Four attorneys representing three different law firms have filed suit to stop Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s crackdown on patients and purveyors in medical cannabis. They will be holding a joint press conference on September 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm at 119 1st Ave S Suite 260, Seattle, WA 98104.

Mayor Murray recently forced an Ordinance through the city council. Nick Lacata, who is not seeking reelection, introduced the Ordinance; the brain child of David Mendoza, the mayor’s cannabis czar. The Ordinance is the Mayor’s attempt to shutter at least 58 businesses within a month, without regard to patient access, or dispensary owners’ ability to properly conclude their business affairs.

Over $11,000 Raised in a Month to Overturn WA’s Senate Bill 5052

July 20, 2015July 20, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

A campaign to place an injunction on, and overturn Washington State’s Senate Bill 5052 has raised over $11,000 from 118 people in just one month.

Senate Bill 5052, signed by Governor Inslee in April, makes several changes to the state’s medical cannabis law, including drastically reducing the amount of cannabis patients can possess and cultivate, establishing a patient registry and closing down dispensaries.

Fundraising Drive Begins for Lawsuits to Save Medical Cannabis in Washington State

June 20, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

As we previously reported, a team of renowned attorneys will soon be filing a set of lawsuits to place an injunction on, and overturn Washington State’s Senate Bill 5052, a regressive medical cannabis proposal recently signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee. The new law, which goes into effect July 1st of next year, will make felons out of patients possessing currently allowable limits, will establish a patient registry and will shutdown a majority of dispensaries in the state.

Now, in an effort to help fund the immense legal costs associated with challenging a law passed by the state, those behind the lawsuit have setup a GoFundMe page for those wanting to donate to the cause.

Lawsuits Announced to Place Injunction on and Overturn Washington State’s Senate Bill 5052

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

A team of attorneys will soon file a series of lawsuits to place an injunction on, and overturn Washington State’s Senate Bill 5052, a recently signed law that will drastically reduce the rights of medical cannabis patients in the state while closing dispensaries and establishing an illegal patient registry.

Signed by Governor Jay Inslee in April, Senate Bill 5052 – which takes full effect in July, 2016 – will drastically reduce the amount of cannabis patients can possess and cultivate, making felons out of those who possess currently allowable limits. The measure will also lead to the closure of nearly every medical cannabis dispensary in the state, and will establish an illegal patient registry that is in clear violation of federal HIPAA laws.