Washington Bill Would Make it Illegal to Smoke Marijuana “In the Presence” of Someone Under 18
Legislation that would make it illegal for someone 21 and older to smoke marijuana “in the presence” of someone under 18 has been filed in Washington State.
House Bill 1625 was filed by State Representative Brad Klippert (R) with no cosponsors; it has been assigned to the House Committee on Commerce & Gaming. According to its legislative digest, it; “Prohibits a person from consuming marijuana through inhalation in the presence of a person who is under eighteen years old.”
Specifically, the bill adds a new section to state law stating that; “It is unlawful to consume marijuana through inhalation in the presence of a person who is under eighteen years old.” Being “in the presence of a person” is defined as being at “a distance that, under the circumstances, a reasonable person may expect that smoke released through the consumption process could be inhaled by a third party.”
The proposal would make breaking this law a Class 1 civil infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250. Thankfully the measure wouldn’t make it an arrestable offense.
Click here for the full text of the measure.
