washington medical marijuana Archives

Washington Committee Approves Bill Prohibiting Cities from Banning Medical Marijuana Cooperatives

January 17, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation that would prohibit cities in Washington State from banning or adding new regulations to medical marijuana cooperatives was passed yesterday through its initial legislative committee.

House Bill 2471 was approved yesterday by the House Commerce and Gaming Committee. The measure, filed by Representative Steve Kirby (D), would make it so that “Counties, cities, and towns are prohibited from enacting any regulations pertaining to medical marijuana cooperatives absent an express grant of authority from the state.”

Under the proposal, state law regarding coops – which allows 10 patients to come together to grow and share cannabis at a share location – preempt all city laws. This is important given that several cities in the state have placed bans or moratoriums on medical marijuana cooperatives.

WA Measure Allowing Medical Cannabis on School Grounds Passes Senate Committee, Already Passed House

March 29, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation that would require school districts to allow students who are medical cannabis patients to be administered their medicine on school grounds has advanced in Washington’s Legislature.

House Bill 1060 was given approval yesterday by the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee. Earlier this month the proposal passed the full House of Representatives with a 78 to 19 vote. The measure must now pass through one more committee before it can be voted on by the full Senate; passage in the Senate will send it to Governor Jay Inslee for consideration.

The legislation; “Requires a school district to permit a student who meets certain requirements to consume marijuana for medical purposes on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or while attending a school-sponsored event”, and; “Requires the board of directors of a school district to adopt a policy that authorizes parents, guardians, and primary caregivers to administer marijuana to a student for medical purposes while the student is on school grounds, aboard a school bus, or attending a school-sponsored event.”

Washington House Votes 88 to 9 to Legalize Sale of Marijuana Plants and Seeds to Patients 18+

March 8, 2017March 8, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Marijuana producers in Washington State would be allowed to sell immature cannabis plants and seeds to patients 18+ under a bill approved by the House.

Washington’s House of Representatives voted 88 to 9 to pass House Bill 2021, indicating widespread bipartisan support. The proposal now moves to the Senate, where passage would send it to Governor Jay Inslee for consideration.

House Bill 2021; “Authorizes marijuana producers to produce and sell marijuana plants and seeds at retail, at the premises of the marijuana producer, to qualifying patients age 18 and over and designated providers with valid authorization or valid recognition card.” It also allows “plants grown in a cooperative to be grown from marijuana seeds purchased from a licensed marijuana producer”.

Legislation Allowing Medical Cannabis on School Grounds Passes WA House

March 3, 2017March 3, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

A legislative proposal that would allow patients to be administered medical cannabis while on school grounds has passed Washington State’s full House of Representatives.

House Bill 1060 was passed earlier today with a 78 to 19 vote, with one member of the House absent. The proposal now moves to the Senate, where its passage would send it to a supportive Governor Jay Inslee.

The proposed law would allow students who are medical cannabis patients to be administered medical cannabis (either by a parent, guardian or caregiver) on school grounds, which includes school buses and school-sponsored events.

Below is the legislative summary of the bill:

WA Bill to Allow Medical Cannabis On School Grounds Passes Second Committee With 26 to 6 Vote

February 27, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

A Washington measure that would allow the administration of medical cannabis on school grounds has been approved by its second House committee.

The House Appropriations Committee gave approval to House Bill 1060 on Friday with a 26 to 6 vote (with 1 voting to pass but without recommendation). The vote comes 18 days after the bill was passed by the House Healthcare and Wellness Committee with a 13 to 3 vote. It’s now been sent to the House Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Under the proposed law, schools would be required to adopt policies that allow for the administration of cannabis-based medicines to qualified patients by a parent, guardian or primary caregiver. The measure specifically covers all “school grounds”, which includes school buses and school-sponsored events.

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.

WA: PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries Become Qualifying Medical Cannabis Conditions on Friday

July 22, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Washington State’s Senate Bill 5052, which was signed by Governor Inslee in April and makes numerous changes to the state’s medical cannabis law, has a provision in it that adds post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries to the list of conditions that qualify an individual to become a medical cannabis patient. That provision takes effect this Friday, July 24th.

Although Senate Bill 5052 makes several regressive changes to the state’s medical cannabis law, including shutting down dispensaries and drastically reducing the amount of cannabis patients can possess and cultivate, adding PTSD and traumatic brain injuries to the list of medical cannabis conditions is one of the few positives brought forth by the measure.

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.