WA Bill to Legalize Marijuana Sharing and Allow Producers to Sell Plants to Patients Passes Legislature
An omnibus bill making several positive changes to Washington’s marijuana law has been passed by the state’s full legislature.
Senate Bill 5131 was sent to Governor Jay Inslee on Sunday after being approved by both the House (48 to 0) and Senate (74 to 24).
The proposal would make several alterations to the state’s marijuana law. One of this biggest changes is to legalize the sharing of up to an ounce of cannabis between those 21 and older. Currently sharing marijuana, even passing a joint between two adults, is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Senate Bill 5131 would also allow licensed marijuana producers to sell cannabis plants to qualifying patients ages 18 and older. This would give patients a legal means of accessing cannabis plants, which they are legally allowed to grow. Marijuana cultivation for recreational purposes remains illegal unless licensed. However, the approved bill directs the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board to study the feasibility of legalizing recreational home growing; they would be required to publish a report by December.
Governor Inslee now has the option of signing the measure into law, allowing it to become law without his signature, or vetoing it; if he was to veto it (which is unlikely), the legislature could override it with a 2/3rds majority.
Click here for the full text of Senate Bill 5131.
John Novak
The plants and seed sales to patients will only be available to the patients that have surrendered their rights to join the registry. Non-registered, but qualified patients with an authorization from their health care professional, are left out because we refuse to be treated as second class citizens and sex offenders.