washington state cannabis Archives

WA: Over $1.1 Billion In Legal Marijuana Sold So Far In FY 2017, Garnering Over $210 Million in Taxes

March 21, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legal marijuana sales continue to surge in Washington State.

In fiscal year (FY) 2017, which began on July 1st, there has been $1,142,722,905 in legal marijuana sold. This has already surpassed the total for FY 2016 ($972,729,675), even though there is over three months left in FY 2017.

The over $1.1 billion in legal marijuana sold has resulted in $213,990,878 in taxes for the state. On a daily basis there is nearly $4.8 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products sold each day, resulting in roughly $1 million in daily tax revenue. This is according to data released by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Washington Bill to Repeal Marijuana Legalization Officially Dead for 2017

March 4, 2017March 4, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

A legislative proposal that would repeal marijuana legalization in its entirety has been officially put to rest for the session.

The deadline for legislative proposals to make it out of their initial committees and still be considered for the 2017 session has officially passed, meaning House Bill 2096 is officially dead for the year. Also dead is a bill that would have made it illegal for those 21 and older to smoke cannabis “in the presence” of someone under 18 (both were filed by Representative Brad Klippert).

Given that all bills filed this year are for the 2017/2018 session, these measures will unfortunately still be in play next year, though the complete lack of support beyond Representative Klippert should leave no legalization advocate worried.

WA: Over 1,000 Signatures on Petition to End Felonies for Personal Cannabis Possession

September 4, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

A Change.org petition calling on Washington State’s lawmakers to end felonies for personal cannabis possession has received over 1,000 signatures in just a 10-day period.

“In Washington the possession of up to 28 grams of cannabis is legal for those 21 and older, due to the passage of Initiative 502 in 2012”, states the petition. “However, the possession of just 50% more than this – anything over 40 grams – is a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.”

Over $130 Million in Legal Cannabis Sold in Washington State in August

September 3, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

There was over $130 million in legal cannabis sold in Washington in the month of August, resulting in roughly $25 million in taxes, according to new data released by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board.

So far for fiscal year 2017, which began on July 1st, there has been nearly $250 million in legal cannabis sold, resulting in nearly $50 million in taxes. Currently there is an average of over $4.2 million in legal cannabis purchased each day, which results in over $700,000 in daily taxes.

Average Daily Cannabis Sales Jumps to $4.2 Million in Washington State

August 13, 2016August 13, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

There is over $4.2 million in legal cannabis sold each day in Washington, according to data released by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board. This is a $400,000 a day jump from less than a month ago.

The $4.2 million in daily cannabis sales nets the state over $750,000 in daily tax revenue. For fiscal year 2017, which began on July 1st, there has already been over $155 million in legal cannabis sold, resulting in nearly $30 million in taxes for the state. The uptick in sales can likely be attributed to the fact that medical cannabis dispensaries not licensed with the Liquor and Cannabis Board were forced to shut down on July 1st due to Senate Bill 5052 taking full effect.

WA: Over 5.3 Million Pounds of Legal Cannabis Sold in July

December 1, 2016August 1, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

In July alone there was 5.3 million pounds of legal cannabis sold in Washington State, according to data released by the Liquor and Cannabis Board. These sales resulted in roughly $20 million in taxes.

In addition to the 5.3 million pounds of “usable” cannabis sold, there was 485,000 units of cannabis extracts sold, 285,000 units of edibles sold, 70,000 units of liquid edibles sold, and 14,000 units of topical cannabis (lotions and ointments) sold.

Recently we reported that there is $3.8 million of cannabis sold legally in the state each day, garnering over 700,000 in daily taxes.

$3.8 Million of Legal Cannabis Sold Each Day in Washington State

July 27, 2016July 27, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

According to new data released by Washington State’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, there is $3.8 million in legal cannabis sold each day, resulting in approximately $700,000 in daily tax revenue.

For fiscal year 2016, which ended on July 1st, there was just shy of $1 billion sold ($972 million). From this, the state garnered $185 million in taxes.

So far for the month of July, there has been $96 million sold, resulting in $18 million in taxes for the state; this is based on 12,000 pounds of sold cannabis, and 858,000 units of infused cannabis products (either edibles, topicals or oils).

Bipartisan Washington State Bill Would Legalize Cannabis Cultivation for Everyone 21 and Older

January 26, 2016January 24, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Initiative 502, approved by Washington State voters in 2012, legalized the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis in dried form, up to 16 ounces in edible form, and up to 72 ounces in liquid form, for those 21 and older. The initiative also legalized cannabis retail outlets. What it didn’t legalize, however, was personal cultivation, which remains a felony.

Now, legislation – House Bill 2629 – has been filed in the state’s House of Representatives which would fix this, legalizing the personal cultivation of up to six cannabis plants, and up to 24 ounces of cannabis harvested from said plants (currently the possession of over an ounce but under 40 grams is a misdemeanor; anything over 40 grams is a felony). The proposal was filed by Representatives Brian Blake (D), Cary Condotta (R), and Jessyn Farrell (D).

Multiple Changes to Washington’s Medical Cannabis Law Now in Effect

July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

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.

Legal marijuana sales continue to surge in Washington State.

A legislative proposal that would repeal marijuana legalization in its entirety has been officially put to rest for the session.

Cannabis is legal to possess and purchase in Washington State, but growing it for personal use remains a felony. A newly drafted bill would change that.