Washington Bill to Shutdown Dispensaries Passes House Committee
Legislation to shutdown medical cannabis dispensaries, to establish a patient registry and to reduce the amount of cannabis patients can possess and cultivate has been approved 
by Washington State’s House Committee on Health Care and Wellness.
Senate Bill 5052 has already been approved by the state’s Senate, and will be sent to Governor Jay Inslee if approved by the full House of Representatives. Inslee has said he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
The proposal would reduce the amount of cannabis a patient can possess from 24 ounces to 3, and reduce the amount of plants they can cultivate from 15 to 6. All dispensaries would be shutdown, and recreational cannabis outlets would be able to apply for a medical cannabis endorsement from the state.
Senate Bill 5052 would also establish a registry that patients must become a part of if they want legal protection. Opponents of the measure argue that this is a clear HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violation.
The measure was amended to alter the proposed mandatory patient registry to a voluntary one (except for minors, who will still be required to be listed on the registry), but further restrictions and limitations will be applied to patients who choose to opt out of the registry, such as a reduction of possession limits from 3 ounces to 1, the reduction of plants they are allowed to cultivate from 6 to 4, a reduction of tax-exemptions offered on cannabis products, and the arrest protection granted to patients who do participate in the registry is replaced with a simple affirmative defense. Other amendments adopted include adding PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) to the list of qualifying medical conditions to become a patient, and requiring all medical patient authorizations to be renewed yearly, or every 6 months for minors.
Sensible Washington, a nonprofit political committee working since 2010 to end cannabis prohibition and the drug war in Washington State, calls the proposal “unwanted” and “regressive”. The group urges lawmakers to oppose the measure, or to at least amend it so that dispensaries can become licensed with the state, patients aren’t required to join a registry to receive equal protection and possess/cultivation limits remain unaltered.
– TheJointBlog
Tom Pell
This is a terrible bill and is a hurts the medical cannabis patients ability to be able to have enough medicine for oral administration of this medicine and will cause many to return to the unhealthy method of inhalation to administer enough medicine for pain relief. There was already a study done that concluded that the current levels were not adequate for those who orally consume. Please do not override the vote and will of the citizens of Washington state who approved the current medical marijuana laws.
David M
Tom:
Their reply, would most likely go something like this :
Dear sick and ill Washington medical patient’s. Since last November’s election, the Washington Republican Party now controls your state Senate. This branch is by far, the most powerful of Washington’s three branches of your State’s government. We the Republican’s of your Washington State Senate will tell you what you can /cannot / do/ have / or grow, and you’ll like it.
Your Democrat controlled House of Representatives is a political paper tiger , one we will continue to crush to our will.
P.S. Please keep failing to vote. Even with mail-in ballot’s you gave us power the political power we haven’t had in generations. Don’t worry, we know whats best for you and what you really need. Our term’s are for six years. I advise you get used to us or move to another State. Sincerely, your Washington State Senate
I think I know how a progressive living in Alabama must feel.
meschief
So Now What? … is HIPAA going to add a MJ Cannabis clause to allow this on a registry or just rewrite the rules? whats next…. anxiety/mental health meds registry for firearms… then what?… we are starting a big ball of !@#$ for people who don’t always deserve it!! …. eventually everyones going to be on a list for something… sexual registry, probation registry, spousal abuse registry generating more and more buracracy all because the liberals what a gov nanny,,,, ahhhhh what is happening to this country!!!!! pffft IF someone does a crime, they do the time, let them go without judgment and stop scare others from accepting them back in to society… something about “forgiveness” and moving forward use to mean something… with this Cannabis law, they WILL find ways to continue to prosecute, and most likely it will be the medical MJ user.
Nancy Wavra
Just remember people who need medical marijuana do vote, there is no logical reason for this dictatorial measure. I am a voter in the state of Washington and I vehemently oppose this.
delaney toups
this is clearly legislative action that is pushing forward without understanding the nature of the industry.
yes there needs to be regulations, but no the dispensaries should not be shut down. Educate yourselves ppl!!!!
They have no clear understanding of the ramifications that will be created for patients, first and foremost, and to the businesses in the medical industry.
David M
delany toup’s:
The irony ! Washington’s anti-medical marijuana/ anti-dispensary bill was passed by Washington’s House of Representatives, the same day that Hawaii’s legislature voted to OPEN medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the Islands. I’m embarrassed how back-ward Washington has become and is now being viewed nation-wide.
RISING CLOUD
JUST ANOTHER WAY TO GET THERE HANDS ON THE CANNABIS PROFIT
Violette
Thank you for posting this. I just wrote to the governor, I also had written to our legislators, however they chose to not respond to my request. Hopefully the governor will listen.
You can contact him directly here https://fortress.wa.gov/es/governor/.
John Novak
According to the latest version, this gives the feds access to the registry database…without a warrant…
SECTION 21
(1) The department must contract with an entity to create, administer, and maintain a secure and confidential medical marijuana authorization database that, beginning July 1, 2016, allows:
…
(d) Appropriate local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement or prosecutorial officials who are engaged in a bona fide specific investigation of suspected marijuana-related activity that may be illegal under Washington state law to confirm the validity of the authorization card of a qualifying patient or designated provider;
jz doe
What the hell do they think they’re doing? We voted on it, it’s working, and they need to get a grip.
steve
This is reducing the value of the amercan vote and voting process. People voted for medical marijuana back in 1996. there is no reason why there should be any changes done do anything without a vote, we have since voted on other things such as recreational but that has nothing to do with medical. All they want to do is control the people and the money and its not about our community and our country cuz if it was alcohol would not be a legal substance. With the recreational stores they are getting their money and medical dispensaries have offered multiple times to pay a B&O tax. andar other pharmaceutical companies do not pay I’ll be in a tax. but they want all or nothing they’re going to put medical things in the hands of retail people so there goes the medical value right out the door. Washington State needs to pull their head out of their asses and go about this as a community and not as a business and they will not generate the black market that they are going to generate in the future.
Dave
Well said, well said. I concur with this statement. MONEY is the name of the game, and if you don’t think so, you’ve already lost. That being said, they did vote back in 1996 when it was even HARDER to budge due to the “war of drugs” and politicians not wanting to associate themselves with such matters. Why should a law change 19 years later for the profits of retail recreational marijuana? The same reason why they let canvassers on the front-porch of Wal-Marts statewide in order to gain signatures for the legalization, because corporations are getting ready to play the game with everyone else who went in early. If the governor passes SB5052, I’ll never think about him the same again. I was hoping for a clean slate when it came to a new governor, but if he doesn’t get the right information in his ears, he’ll blindly take away what we worked hard to gain.
RVA Marijuana
They’re doing this because too many people are using medicinal dispensaries when they should be using recreational dispensaries. Which eats into their profits. It was either this or limit the conditions accepted to become a medical marijuana patient.
LimJahey
Uh no we just buy from our dealers like always.
David M
RVA Marijuana:
I could live comfortably for at least a few years on how many thousands of dollar’s it took the greedy recreational. store owner’s, their lobbyist’s and lawyer’s to convince you that what you believe is the truth. Their truth is a lie!
Anonymous
This is bs n shows we have no voice…
rob
no voice? the state is controled by democrats. the problem with the people, is they blame what they dont like, on reps. automatically. why read?-just blame. hey. lets blame bush. right? so dont say we have no voice. its my side, that has no voice. the libtards of seattle, outnumber the sane peoples vote, every time. and im a med patient. and glad its gone by-by. now. to get rid of this liberal mentality king county is known for. outside of that, we are mostly conservative. Libs drive up taxs. entitlements, regs. laws. and crime. they left behind traditianla america. now, they have a mini sanfransicko. god is out. right and wrong is out. responsibility is out. just finger pointing, and sniviling.
David M
Rob, Change the channel REPUBTARD !
RISING CLOUD
THIS IS THE PLAN THE WHOLE TIME YOU WANT YOUR 2 CENTS ON THE WHOLE MESS . OUR GOVERNMENT IS A BUNCH OF CROOKS
Anonymous
You there is alrezdy a black market more people buy on the st than at the stores
Piper Green
Big brothers big foot….sorry sisters and bros…don’t let them take your individual right to grow. please. PEACE
Sarah
Senate Bill 5052 is an unconscionable slash to the collective wrists of Washington State’s model medical marijuana system. I am shocked by how quickly the system turned like rabid dogs on medical marijuana patients to fix recreational marijuana. These people are the base by which this law was enacted, not to mention they are patients, and this bill eviscerates patient’s access to care.
Why are we punishing medical patients for what is clearly a problem with an outrageously burdensome tax code? Why are patients not seen as the victims here, when the state imposes unthinkable taxes on recreational marijuana, making abuse of our system inevitable.
Patient privacy is absolutely paramount in all other realms of medicine, in which marijuana has been operating within longer that any other state. It sickens me to think that marijuana patients would instantly become second-class citizens who are not afforded the same privacy rights as other patients because this medicine is easy for the patient to grow on their own. With this law you rob people of their rights and their agency to take charge of their health and you turn them in to corporate cash cows. SHAME ON WASHINGTON.
Anonymous
Thank you Sarah. You said it brilliantly.
David M
Well said Sarah,
Dan
The government is the biggest crooks and Mafioso that there is….a bunch of control freaks. Im seriously considering moving out….
rob
seattle is such a huge croud of liberals. they all can move out. the democrates want this to pass, so they can have the money. thats the whole thing. not republicans. liberals love to blame all they dont like, on bush, still. lol. reality, is not in their heads. i am a med patient. and i have allways felt the bad out did the good. this is a dem sponsored bill. the governor, one of the worst in history, will sign it, he says. he is a democrate. a tax monger.
David M
I guess I need to shout it from the roof-top’s since Tea-Bagger’s like Rob have wax in their ear’s. Washington’s Republican run State SENATE is where ALL of the State’s political power lies. The Governor is a figure-head position. The Democrat House of Representatives just got a beat-down by the all powerful REPUBLICAN State Senate.
Anonymous
It is your duty as an American to stay and help instigate change. Americans don’t run like little bitches.
David M
I once shared your view and optimism. It saddens me to say I no longer can do so. After two years of watching this debacle unfold, I knew following last years election night, November 2014 that when the Republican Party took control of Washington’s State Senate that it spelled the beginning end for medical marijuana in the State of Washington.
The Republican Party of Washington has had the red-ass over medical marijuana since 1998. They haven’t ben in power in over 40 years. The same people who deny climate change is happening right before their very eye’s (and debated on that issue recently like Oklahoman’s no less) are not going to suddenly see the light and believe in medical marijuana.
The State Senate is where most of this state’s political power reside, this means almost six more years of these right-wing kooks views rammed down our throats until they can be dumped once again back into the dust-bin of history. Six years is just too to wait for the real change that’s needed.
Hope Jentis Petzel
Ok, let me see if I have this straight. At worst, you will still be allowed to grow 6 plants, but you will only be allowed to possess 3 ounces?? What the hell are you supposed to do with the rest? 6 plants will yield a HELL of a lot more than 3 OUNCES!!
Nat Turner
Seems with the ignorance they are displaying you’ll be safe to plant whatever you desire as long as you don’t advertise.
jay
Myself I give it to other patients that can’t afford to buy meds period…little advise to LCB compassion programs are necessary …
David M
For stricken Cancer patients going through chemo even the previous 15 plant allowance wasn’t enough. They use the entire plant. Not just the flower’s. You should visit a cancer patient ward.
George Free
Republican tricks. Disgusting. Get active people!!!!!
Anonymous
republican tricks? no our country is under socialist tricks. jay inslee, is a rep? really. last i checked, he was a democrat. blame it on the reps. or bush. never on the freaks who have ruined so many blue states.
David M
What “freaks” ? This state’s Senate holds virtually all the political power. Apparently you aren’t aware that following last November’s election result’s, Washington’s State Senate is (due to low voter turn-out) fully Tea-Bagger Right-Wing Republican. The Governor is powerless, basically a bill signer/ ribbon-cutter. Washington’s House of Representative’s ? We just watched them get crushed by the powerful Republican run State Senate.
Charlie Brown
Ridiculous comment. Look at the list of who voted in favor of this and count up how many are Dems and how many are Repubs. The Democrats, who rule in Olympia, have rammed this through because they want more taxes. It’s all about the money and the Democrats sold us out for money. If you can’t face the truth on this fact then you’ll never kick the money grubbers out and elect people who care about us, not just collecting more money so they can spend/waste more.
David M
Don’t pin this stinker on Democrat’s. The State Senate is where the political power in Washington resides and it’s Republican and it run’s the ship.
John
As we inch closer and closer to a socialist form of government and totalitarian rule …We the people no longer have any voice or for that fact any type of constitutional rights!
David M
Go Socialism!! The Constitution IS the problem
american
David m..you socialist piece of shit you need to leave the nation your forefathers died for !!! You fucking lowlife piece of unamerican garbage
Naziyr
WTH are you talking about?
Anonymous
boycot rec shops go back underground
John
If it becomes law then all us patients need to do some MASS purchasing to clean out any refreational inventory and not have it taxed.
Disappointed
This is completely ridiculous. Clearly the tax on recreational needs to be lowered.
Luckily a current bill going though Congress will legalize medical marijuana on a Federal level. This will eliminate the feds snooping into peoples business.
I am really disappointed by the intelligence of people in politics. Are they all just being paid off?
David M
Yes. The recreational marijuana business is the twenty-first century version of what that the Cable Television Industry was for politician’s in the early to mid 1970’s. They see a new cash cow ripe for the picking. It could all go South on them if patients refuse to participate in the deceit.
Marriann
Comment on the Bill
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5052&year=2015
Leave your excellent comments there, where they might count.
WWU kid who grows
The real problem here is a lack of understanding of how the Marijuana trade works and greed from our legislators. Unfortunately they believe that by essentially eliminating the medical marijuana market that all the patients, who are generally larger consumers than your average recreational user from my experience, will just start buying their flowers and concentrates from the recreational stores. And that is completely not true. We’re all going to return to the black market because for most of us to meet our medical needs we require an amount of medicine that is unaffordable when be taxed at 56% about (25% from grower to vender, another 25% from vender to consumer, it doesn’t just add to 50% if you do the actual math). I can’t afford to $15.60 a gram (the price of a previously 10 dollar gram taxed at 56%). I’m a student. And in fact, if this goes through, it’s going to hurt my grades or just take me out of college. How would me being allowed to grow help my grades? Because I can pay my rent/food/bills and some of my loans off with money I receive in donations directly from patients or collectives. And except for setting up the grow and cropping trimming managing 10 plants breaks down into about a 10 hour work week for me. If I were to make the same money at Washington’s minimum wage, I wouldn’t be a student in the first place. I could swing part time at a community college but I could kiss the dreams of a four year degree good by. If our rec stores were taxed at something in the 15% range or something then most recreational consumers would use them. If it were taxed like this and the vast majority of people bought their flowers from rec stores patients could be allowed to grow their own crop for their medical needs, without harming the recreational store profits. Everyone would win. The state would bring in more money because the 90% of people who buy off the black market now would pay 15% more ($1.50/gram more) for the highest quality flowers as opposed to their local dealers product. Or you can have 10% of people pay a 50% tax and the state makes less money, patients loose their rights and revert back to being underground, and the black market flourishes. That is why this is a result of lack of understanding of marijuana trade, simple simple economics, with a little greed sprinkled in their too. If, for example there is $1,000,000 in all marijuana profits (medical, rec, and black market) and we assume about 10% of our states marijuana sales are done on the recreational market (which is GENEROUS) then there are $100,000k is rec profits while being taxed at 50% then the state would make $50,000. Drop that tax rate to 15% and now lets say 90% of people are willing to pay $1.50 more per gram then there is $900k in rec profits taxed at 15% that is $135,000. That is more than double what they would make at a 50% tax rate, most of the market becomes legal, medical patients keep growing for their medical needs. Simple math people.
GREEN GODDESS
THIS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM…WE ARE BEING CRIMINALIZED AGAIN…MOST MEDICAL MMJ PATIENTS WILL WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN THE RECREATIONAL STORES…MANY MEDICAL PATIENTS DON;T HAVE OUTWARDS SIGNS OF THEIR ILLNESS…HOW CAN YOU LABEL PEOPLE AS NOT NEEDING THEIR MEDICINE BY JUST SAYING MOST OF THEM ARE FAKE????HOW CAN YOU TELL????DO WE NEED STAMPS ON OUR FOREHEADS NEXT??????
David M
You refer primarily to Washington’s ( in truth Seattle’s) recreational licence holder’s, store owner’s, cannabis growers, and their army of lobbyist’s and lawyer’s they hired to kill off Washington’s medical marijuana law. Envy is a powerful motivator in shaping American public opinion. I can however, assure you that these same people will all continue to sleep very well in their various vacation homes this summer, all bought and paid for, in part, by the sickest and frailest among “Washington state citizen’s.
Give these store owner’s, their lawyer’s and lobbyist enough soul grinding cash and they can make the general population hate kitten’s and puppies. As expected, they were extremely successful in branding every Washington resident that uses a medical marijuana dispensary a fraud, no matter how sick. It is my hope that this anti-patient / anti-medical marijuana dispensary bill, will at the very least be viewed by other’s, (along with it’s recreational cousin) , the poster child of how not to go about doing either.
I’ll never darken the doorway of a recreational store to purchase my medicine. The best hope now for those who need medicine is return to the black market or move before the dispensaries are all shuttered by the State. It is my desire to see, if left unrewarded by medical patient money, this entire corrupt recreational store system flounder ASAP.
It’s great news about he Tribes becoming eventually involved in the growing selling of marijuana. For me. As soon as this bill is signed the damage will have already been done. I refuse to pay the premium necessary to live in this Republican led unprogressive Coastal back-water.
Anonymous
Those in opposition seem to me like the ones that abuse the system. Working at a medical dispensary I hated seeing all the individuals that would come in just to get stoned which took away from the ones that really needed it. Over half the people with authorizations have them for the sole reason that it was a loop hole in the system. Couldn’t tell you how many people would come in and you know they were buying for others and selling to friends for profit. This is the right direction to make it more socially acceptable. As far as the plants go, a 1 to 2 plant rotation is perfect and won’t over yield and you would have plenty.
David M
Liar !
murphtall
TOO BAD YOU’RE ANONYMOUS BECAUSE YOUR COMMENT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT SPEAKS TRUTH. I have been growing MMJ since the early 00s and black market for DECADES before that. Most people or many people visiting dispensaries are stoners without medical need. Because of this bill, I may actually get my script again. Growing 6 plants is overkill even for me and my wife. Three plants is over a pound of herb!!! thats enough for me for a year and I would only have to grow 4 months to get it. That sounds like a winning deal.
Anonymous
Their trying to be HITLER all over again and it is bullshit they need to leave well enough alone and stop trying to line their pockets off us disabled folks who really need this MEDICATION they have already raped the legal system to legally work it so all the other money that is coming in from the other side they that’s going to be used for educational purposes for our children’s sake is BULLSHIT to IT’S GOING To GO RIGHT INTO THEIR POCKETS , WE ARE JUST MAKING THEM RICHER CAUSE WE ALL KNOW JUST HOW CORRUPT THIS SO CALLED GOVERNMENT OF OURS REALLY IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN SUCK MY COCK YOUR ALREADY RICH ENOUGH STOP STEALING MONEY FROM US UNDER CLASS CITIZENS GO OUT AND GET A REAL FUCKING JOB YOU ASSHOLES AND BEIGHNER YOUR NOTHING BUT A RACIST PEICE OF SHIT you guy’s Obama for the deficit that’s bullshit to BUSH YOUR LEADER PUT US IN THIS HELL HOLE AND NOBODY ELSE YOU FUCKING REPUBLICANS’ DO NOTHING BUT TAKE FROM THE POOR AND PUT IT IN YOUR POCKETS IF YOU ASK ME THE HOLE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS TO BE ABOLISHED YOU THEIVING MOTHER FUCKERS WE NEED TO OUST EVERYONE OF YOU NATZI MOTHER FUCKERS GET THE FUCK UP OFF IS MEDICAL PATIENTS AND GO STEAL YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE SINCERELY TED MATTHEWS
deathbyskullf***
Trying to be Hitler all over again? Adolf Hitler was not the only dictator to walk the dace of the Earth. What an overdramatic comparison. No matter the similarities on any front, unless the person youre referencing is attempting genocide, Hitler should never be used as a model of comparison for anyone or anything.
Anonymous
are you retarded?
Calin
This bill is no longer as described. Please read the current version. Much of the above panic is no longer relevant.
-Cal
David M
I re-read the monster: It’s much worse than before !
Tim Bowles
All marijuana is medical if you use it for such. Consequentily under 502 anyone can buy “medical” marijuana without lying or even seeing a doctor. That is progress in my book. Taxes are being reduced, and prices will drop more.People are astonished that the legislature won’t continue their sweet little quasi legal grey medical market. WTF you thought it would last forever. I support an amendment that would lower growing to a misdemeanor. I just emailed my reps about it. It used to be in the bill on the first substitute but was dropped on the next version. It would be easy to put it back and has some support in legis. and with seattle city. It is doable and the least they can do if they wln’t agree to home grow for everyone which they already voted down.
David M
Please, no more lying. You only like this bill because you’re not on the side that got screwed out of their fixed income and measly disability checks so you can by a third home.
jim hill
No one saw this coming? The government should turn over the weed as they did the dollar to federal reserve. Then they can really start scamming. But seriously all big pharma wants to do is take the real seeds store them in their seed bank and own the strain(s). JUST LIKE ALL OUR OTHER SEEDS. HELL I HOPE THE START SPRAYING WITH ROUND UP TOO,. And sell us either clones or gmo seeds in the future. NOW MARIJUANA CAN BE LIKE OUR CORN AND WHEAT, All of our medications were takin from natural plants in the first place then reverse engineered for.a profit. What is worse then them profiting, is taking away the natural cure. If you dont know the pharmaceutical industries make a little bit more money treating a problem then curing. (Cancer). But im. Crazy, governments god. HILARY FOR PRESIDENT.
Rick
It is time to group a collective in Washinton State together and raise street funds to fight the Nazis again, there about money we need to fight fire with fire at all levels votes matter to them, money is what it takes to get you voice out there make patients votes count as a group it’s time to push back!!!
David M
Voting would be a great start. One example, in Washington, the key 18-29 year old demographic, voted the lowest percentile since the 1940’s. That flipped the State Senate over to the fascist’s in the Republican Party running things for the first time in Generation’s. The fascist’s Republican’s wouldn’t allow any of the Democrat minorities bill’s out of conference, much less to be brought up for a vote. This means six years with a state Governed by climate change denying Republican nut-cases (who even debated climate change two weeks ago). I’m moving.
David M
I hope Washington see’s a huge exodus by the truly disabled if this monstrosity of a bill is actually signed into state law by the Governor . The Hawaiian Legislature, has just approved opening medical marijuana dispensaries on all of the islands. Disabled Hawaiian’s want and need safe access. They will soon have what the State of Washington just threw into the toilet. Honolulu’s my next destination. Anyone else leaving? And if so, where ?
1). Honolulu
David M
Just a simple suggestion. Very long comments are often difficult to read, if not broken up, or put into paragraph’s. This would make everyone’s comment’s so much easier to read.
Thanks in advance from a sixty-two year old with bad eye’s.
Graydon
If this passes, when would it become effective?
David M
The dispensaries would have to be closed by July 2016. The majority will gone long before that as many have plans on moving to Oregon, California and as of last Friday, Hawaii. Hawaii’s legislature, ironically OK’d the opening of new state medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the islands on the same day Washington’s legislature took 5 step’s backward and passed closing all of this states Backward.
David M
It appears that Oregon’s medical marijuana law along with it’s patients are about to be strung up and thrown under the same greed driven roller-coaster as Washington’s medical patients have been put through since I 502 passed in 2012. This is apparently the new face of cannabis legalization in America. Demonize and ruin sick medical patients lives by claiming medical marijuana is just too much “competition for retail recreational marijuana stores to overcome. Oregonian’s should have learned from Washington’s mistake. Unfortunately this doesn’t appear to be the case. Oregonian’s should tell their legislature to come clean and stop demonizing medical patients via the media, and recreational cannabis lawyer’s and lobbyist’s.
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/03/regulating_medical_marijuana_w.html
martha
Amen David! They do it understand the pain medical patients are in….and don’t care! Money, money, money
Kristen
Shared. https://www.facebook.com/saveWAMMJ/posts/733735376724215
Legislation to shutdown medical cannabis dispensaries, to establish a patient registry and to reduce the amount of cannabis patients can possess and cultivate was approved last Friday by Washington State’s House Committee on Health Care and Wellness.
Senate Bill 5052 has already been approved by the state’s Senate, and will be sent to Governor Jay Inslee if approved by the full House of Representatives. Inslee has said he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
CONTACT YOUR STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE AND URGE THEM TO NOT PASS THIS BILL! Tell them that you will NOT VOTE TO REELECT THEM if they support it. Urge them to at least amend it so that dispensaries can become licensed with the state, patients aren’t required to join a registry to receive equal protection and possess/cultivation limits remain unaltered.
We have been non-stop contacting our representatives, always asking for required responses via email but are being completely ignored. It seems that the only thing that gets their attention is $ and the chance that we might not reelect them – so sad.
IT IS DO OR DIE TIME or we will lose all our dispensaries and collectives, the right to have enough plants, and be forced to buy overtaxed, subpar product at 502 stores in order to remain legal. This will NOT help the black market, but will drive the medical market back underground. It is ASTOUNDING as to how bad our state legislators are screwing up marijuana in our state! We are the evergreen state, how are we letting this happen?
The 502 stores are failing due to a terrible tax structure, among other things. Now, our state lawmakers won’t fix 502, which they easily could have done by restructuring taxation, but want to tkae the easy way out. They are too influenced by greed and do not want to listen to the voices of those that they represent, but instead steal business from the medical market.
The OLCC in Oregon just issued a statement that medical and recreational should remain separate. A bill was just introduced at the federal level to protect medical marijuana. And what are we doing in the evergreen state? DESTROYING medical! This is absolutely ridiculous.
The MMJ community does want 502 to ultimately succeed, and we do want to have legislation to protect our medical rights and be in compliance with what the Feds want. But not like this. To TAKE AWAY all collectives and dispensaries, and take away everything our state’s growers and small businesses have created since RCW69.51a was implemented in the 1990s is RIDICULOUS.
This bill will be signed into law as soon as it hits the governor’s desk, Inslee has publicly stated that he does not care what the bill contains but just wants to see a bill on his desk to sign. If this bill reaches a SIMPLE MAJORITY from a House vote we are done.
SCHEDULE A MEETING IN PERSON IF YOU CAN, call over the phone, and email. Log your opposition to bill 5052 online so it can be seen that we the people oppose it. We do want legislation and regulation, but not this way – this isn’t regulation, it’s destruction. Think of all of the small businesses that will be forced to go out of business or become illegal/underground. We may be being ignored but lets do all that we possibly can to be heard.
File a public comment on the bill (online form): https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5052
Contact your state reps: http://leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/MembersByDistrict.aspx
Fact Freddie
Just a couple facts: state senators in WA are elected to 4-year terms. Initiative 692 was voted into law by the people of WA in 1998, not 1996.
David M
Fact Freddie:
Thanks for the term up-date I originally went to the State Senate Web-site to find out what their terms were and found Zero-Zilch-nada information ! I eventually found out their terms from Wikipedia ! Washington’s legislature doesn’t have very a user friendly web-site, that much is clear. Obfuscation works for them too, I suppose.
Thank goodness their Senate terms are only four years. That’s still too long, the entire American political system is run on an antiquated 18th Century template whose last amendment was the twenty-seventh ratified in 1992. that was 202 years after the amendment was introduced :
“The Twenty-seventh Amendment (Amendment XXVII) to the United States Constitution prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms of office for Representatives. It is the most recent amendment. It was submitted by Congress to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789, and became part of the United States Constitution on May 7, 1992,[1] a record-setting period of 202 years, 7 months and 12 days.[2]”
This doesn’t appear to be a smoothly functioning Democracy to me. That said, I’m one- half Canadian.
Yes I remember the day the Medical Bill passed in ’98. I found it so hard to believe they that are getting ready throw a legislative having years of political precedent into the toilet and flush it. I also hate to be so partisan, but in my long life only the Republican party would pull a stunt like this.Although It’s partly the Democrat’s fault because they let them get away with it. The Washington House is politically worthless. The Senate totally dominates all political movement in Washington.
I agree with Kristen’s comment’s I have also contacted every one I possibly could. I spent an entire day last week on the phone and sending email’s. I’ve also not had one single reply back/. It does seem like they could care less. about people. It appears that only money motivates the majority of them (there are exceptions of course)
Seattle’s a very expensive city in which to live . A person living in Seattle can easily live elsewhere for much less. Only NYC (Manhattan or the Village) and San Francisco, would be slightly more expensive (although rent’s on par on par with Seattle in SF at least). As mentioned, I’ve been paying a premium to live in Seattle.
Paying so much for so little political accountability is atrocious. Washington’s scheming political representation toward it’s citizenry should be criminal . The day this bill is signed into law is the day I begin packing for a move to more progressive, patient/dispensary friendly city. Honolulu seem’s like a good fit although Nevada is tempting as well. They are just getting their MMJ system’s implemented but I’ve been following them and both states seem to have their political act’s together.
Nothing like what’s currently happening in Washington could be replicated elsewhere of that I’m fairly certain. Not to this degree at least. Of course not all politician’s are at fault either. In a state where people can vote using a forever stamp and dropping their ballot into the mailbox : This from Washington’s Secretary of State web-site regarding the November 2014 election:
“The 2014 was the lowest turnout since the 52.5 percent in 1978”.
Not much else to be said. Four years is a long time watching a bunch of kooks in our State Senate debate the existence (or not) of climate change, while living in a coastal State. Can it get anymore backward than this. Unfortunately, I’m waiting.
Bobert Swanson
What a crock. It’s all about the tax dollars they are not getting. Most people who use the Med dispensaries have a problem that is eased by a product that at this point is inexpensive. But not taxed. That’s what this about. Tax dollars. How many people have died because they took too much pot? Zero? Greed will be the end of this government and all it’s pandering. Step up and write your state representative and demand he/she NOT follow a federal law mandate to benefit only a few once outlaws who now sell drugs legally with the governments approval. If they wan tto re-illegalize something, make it a crime to create restriction of trade by only offering a handful of licenses to growers and retail outlets. Pot should sold like beer and wine, by anyone who is in the business of retail wholesale sales of this free product.
Webb B
As a Recreational marijuana grower I hope all the MMJ operations are run out of WA State. I would love to see prices stay around $20 to $25 a gram for recreational marijuana. If this happens I will be making more than a million dollars a year from my tier 3 grow operation in eastern Washington. To bad MMJ operators you should had applied for a recreational grow operation like I did for only $250. and they you would have a million dollar a your business like I did.
MedicalMp.
So your choosing a “million dollar year business” over patients who actually use it for its medical purposes…horrible to think people choose greed over actully helping someone in need. Who knows you might be that person one day.
David M
Me and thousands of other medical patients will celebrate the day your recreational world collapses until the I-502 law can be adequately reformed.
David M
Me and thousands of other medical patients will celebrate the day your recreational world collapses until the I-502 law can be adequately reformed.
Anonymous
Your all about the money!!
What about people that are using this as real medicine
Anonymous
Your a fucking idiot fuck!!!
Anonymous
What is the name of your business? I just want to make sure I don’t ever support it…
NorthBless
Too bad when all the mmj shops are wiped out, patients will just go back to the black market to buy their weed. No one in there right mind is going to pay 600+ for an oz. Your Greed is going to eat you whole and spit you out. Good Luck! lol
Joe
Listen to you people, wow how many of you are really patients? So many cry over taking away the medical purpose of MMJ, but the reality is 80% of the people crying are just pot heads and have no real reason to have a medical card. If medical cards were not just handed out for a stinky fart, then things would be different. I use MMJ and for my broken back pains, because I choose not to use the prescription pain meds. If your gonna cry, then cry about all of the doctors that just handed out MMJ cards for no apparent reason. Anyone with a brain was to see this coming, if the state is not making their money off of this no one will. I like the idea of shutting it all down, leaving a few shops open, and letting everyone grow their own stash. The only ones that have a problem with this is the greedy bastards making money of off the already broke people that need really need it. Then you have the devils spawn, the truly greedy people that claim that shop is open for just medical purposes only, when the reality is they are there for a paycheck, and to feed their own pot habit for free. I feel bad for the many that really do need MMJ as a medicine, as I need it, but to many greedy idiots have ruined it for the rest of us. You want proof? There are 16 green cross’s within a 2 mile circle in my area, supply and demand? Ya right that’s just bullshit, it’s all about the money and always will be. Grow your own, have fun with it, smoke your own stuff and have pride doing it. To all the bastards doing this for a paycheck, I hope you rot in hell.
John bailey
Listen to you people, wow how many of you are really patients? So many cry over taking away the medical purpose of MMJ, but the reality is 80% of the people crying are just pot heads and have no real reason to have a medical card. If medical cards were not just handed out for a stinky fart, then things would be different. I use MMJ and for my broken back pains, because I choose not to use the prescription pain meds. If your gonna cry, then cry about all of the doctors that just handed out MMJ cards for no apparent reason. Anyone with a brain was to see this coming, if the state is not making their money off of this no one will. I like the idea of shutting it all down, leaving a few shops open, and letting everyone grow their own stash. The only ones that have a problem with this is the greedy bastards making money of off the already broke people that need really need it. Then you have the devils spawn, the truly greedy people that claim that shop is open for just medical purposes only, when the reality is they are there for a paycheck, and to feed their own pot habit for free. I feel bad for the many that really do need MMJ as a medicine, as I need it, but to many greedy idiots have ruined it for the rest of us. You want proof? There are 16 green cross’s within a 2 mile circle in my area, supply and demand? Ya right that’s just bullshit, it’s all about the money and always will be. Grow your own, have fun with it, smoke your own stuff and have pride doing it. To all the bastards doing this for a paycheck, I hope you rot in hell.
David M
Your 80% of medical patient’s are actually recreational user’s indicates you are a shill for the cannabis retailer’s and grower’s. It’s a BS talking point and everyone knows it. Please, catch up.
David M
Your 80% of medical patient’s are actually recreational user’s indicates you are a shill for the cannabis retailer’s and grower’s. It’s a BS talking point and everyone knows it. Please, catch up.
V
This is really a sad statement! Yes Dr’s that are giving out a rec to someone who shouldn’t get it are wrong, but it’s really hard for me to believe you are a true patient that grows his own and cares about other patients. If you were you would realized that 6 (or 4 plants if you refuse to give up your Hipaa rights) is in no way enough to be able to have a steady flow of personal medicine, not to mention doesn’t account for the fact that you are going to lose some plants in the process as well as the fact that a large amount of patients either can’t or don’t know how to grow it for themselves. As far as closing down the Access points. I agree some of them should be shutdown(the ones that are true “blackmarket” money profiteers), but not at all in the sense that you or this bill is saying. Giving the medical license to the retail shops just goes to show it’s all about greed. I run a medical access point and I lose money by keeping our spot open because we give out meds when our patients can’t afford it or let them try it for free so that they know it’s going to fit their needs. I work a full time job just so I can afford to keep the spot open. I do this because me and my family are patients, TRUE patients. You argue that we should be mad at the Dr’s for being greedy but think that the state is a saint in what it’s trying to do? I agree with David, you are obviously a pawn.
colleen
Another Government Do it or Else!
american
Response to david m. & his “go socialism ” comment do you realize how many have fought and died so you can live free in the USA YOU JUST PROOVED WHAT FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT YOU ARE !! Get the fuck out of OUR country
Kami Hunziker
Right on Steve !!!!
The Other Side
I walked into a “RETAIL” Location a while back. I saw a Label of Blue Dream marked as an Indica. And also the dude behind the Counter was explaining to a customer how OG Kush gives you energy! Nothing about a Retail Store has any medicinal benifits, what if they give a day time energy strain to someone who wants to sleep at night?
Also the the actual patient’s fighting the good fight would have to pay more for med’s that actually help. When they can’t even afford it at a cheaper price in the first place. FML this entire bill pisses me off If I would only talk to Jay Inslee for one hour I could have him revoke this stupid bill
Dab Rigs
Thank God for some commonsence. Those test are not accurate. Plus it’s just a way for police to get around medical marijauna laws
Steven
The ONLY reason any of this is going on is to force the market to the obnoxiously high tax brackets of the recreational markets. Washington and lawmakers in general do not give a single fuck about anything other than the money getting stuffed into their bank accounts.
Why is something that millions claim to have medical benefits treated and sold like alcohol, which is an addictive, destructive drug, when it is used as MEDICINE for every single person who buys it? Also the packaging waste created from this industry is the LEAST green thing ever, and Washington is the Emerald State? BULLSHIT, dollar bills aren’t emerald, they are plain old GREEN.