Cannabis legalization in Washington
Voters in Washington state passed the state’s landmark cannabis legalization ballot initiative in 2012. The reforms took effect in 2014, several months after Colorado, making Washington the second U.S. state to establish an adult-use cannabis marketplace.
Medical cannabis controversies
To the dismay of medical cannabis patients and advocates, however, the I-502 marketplace (named after the successful 2012 legalization initiative) ultimately led to the downfall of Washington’s robust medical cannabis program — medical cannabis is still available in Washington, but patients generally must rely on the state’s highly regulated adult-use operator, for which licenses are limited.
Cannabis industry overview & possession rules
- Adults 21+ can purchase and possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis.
- Additional purchase limits include 16 ounces for infused edibles, 72 ounces for infused liquids, and 7 grams of cannabis concentrates.
- Home growing is not allowed under Washington’s recreational cannabis rules.
- Retail cannabis sales in Washington are taxed at a whopping 37% (medical sales are untaxed).
Where am I? — What is this website?
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