Olympia, WA: Governor Jay Inslee has signed legislation, SB 5052, significantly amending the state’s medical cannabis program. The new law takes effect in late July.
Changes imposed by the law include the establishment of a voluntary registration system for qualified patients. Senate Bill 5052 also reduces the number of plants that patients may legally cultivate and possess, and imposes new regulations on physicians who authorize medical cannabis. Patients who require cannabis in quantities above state-specified limits must receive explicit authorization from their recommending physician acknowledging their specific medical needs.
The measure licenses retail marijuana providers to engage in the sale of medicinal cannabis. It also provides tax breaks to authorized patients who purchase cannabis on the retail market. Collective grows consisting of four patients or fewer remain permitted under the new law.
For more information, please visit Washington NORML at: http://www.wanorml.org. Full text of the engrossed bill is available online at: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Passed%20Legislature/5052-S2.PL.pdf.