washington state marijuana

Legislation to Legalize Personal Marijuana Cultivation Filed in Washington’s House and Senate

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Companion bills that would legalize the personal cultivation of marijuana for those 21 and older has been filed in Washington State’s House of Representatives and Senate.

The legislation, which has bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislature, would allow anyone 21 and older to grow up to six marijuana plants at a private residence, for personal use. If three or more individuals 21+ are living in the same residence they could grow up to, but not more than (regardless of the number of residents), fifteen plants.

Despite the current marijuana possession limit in the state being one ounce, the bills would allow those growing marijuana to possess over this amount if their harvest is larger.

Read moreLegislation to Legalize Personal Marijuana Cultivation Filed in Washington’s House and Senate

WA Legislature Approves Measure Allowing Financial Institutions to Work With Marijuana Industry

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Legislation allowing financial institutions to provide services to licensed marijuana businesses has been passed by Washington State’s full legislature.

Yesterday Washington’s House of Representatives voted 83 to 15 to pass Senate Bill 5928. The vote comes a little over two weeks after the Senate gave approval to the bill in a 38 to 9 vote. The proposal will now go to the desk of Governor Jay Inslee, who has the option of signing it into law, allowing it to become law without his signature, or veto it. Given Inslee’s previous support of the legal marijuana industry, it’s expected that he will sign it into law.

If the measure does become law, as expected, it would provide  “immunity from state criminal prosecution to a financial institution providing financial services to licensed marijuana businesses and qualifying patients, health care professionals, and providers under medical marijuana laws.”

Read moreWA Legislature Approves Measure Allowing Financial Institutions to Work With Marijuana Industry

WA: Over $142 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in October, New Single-Month Record

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There was $142,045,630 in legal marijuana and marijuana products sold in Washington in October, according to data released by the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board.

The $142 million in marijuana sold in October marks a single-month record, besting the previous high of $133.5 million in August. The state garnered nearly $30 million in taxes from October’s sales. Overall for fiscal year 2018 – which began on July 1st – the state has garnered $120 million in taxes from $534 million in marijuana sales. This puts the state on track to top fiscal year 2017; the state brought in $314.8 million in taxes from $1.37 billion in sales.

The $142 million in marijuana sold in October in Washington is slightly higher than the amount of marijuana sold in Colorado during the same period; $127 million according to the state’s Department of Revenue.

Read moreWA: Over $142 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in October, New Single-Month Record

Washington Bill to Repeal Marijuana Legalization Officially Dead for 2017

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

Repeal Marijuana LegalizationThe 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.

Read moreWashington Bill to Repeal Marijuana Legalization Officially Dead for 2017

Bill Drafted to Legalize Home Marijuana Cultivation in Washington State

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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.

Activists have drafted a proposal that would explicitly allow those 21 and older to grow up to six marijuana plants at a private residence. This is the same cultivation limit set in six of the seven other states with legal cannabis; Oregon is the only state with a different limit (they allow four plants).

The Washington State Cannabis Home Grow and Sharing Act would also make another much-needed change; it would legalize the sharing of up to an ounce of cannabis. Under current law sharing any amount – including passing a joint to someone else 21 or older – is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Read moreBill Drafted to Legalize Home Marijuana Cultivation in Washington State

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

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Personal Cannabis PossessionA 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.”

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

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

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moneyThere 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.

Read moreOver $130 Million in Legal Cannabis Sold in Washington State in August

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

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Cannabis SalesThere 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.

Read moreAverage Daily Cannabis Sales Jumps to $4.2 Million in Washington State

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

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Legal CannabisIn 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.

Read moreWA: Over 5.3 Million Pounds of Legal Cannabis Sold in July