Both medical and recreational marijuana may be legal in Washington State, but that doesn’t mean it's a free-for-all. The Evergreen State is still full of regulations regarding cannabis and all things related, so it is important to know how to get a medical card and what sort of restrictions currently govern the program.
If you or someone you know is a resident of Washington considering joining the medical marijuana program, here is everything you need to know:
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When was Medical Weed Legalized in Washington?
Initiative 692 was passed in Washington in 1998. This allowed certain consumers to be authorized in the use of medical marijuana. The measure passed statewide and in all Washington counties but nine, after a campaign largely led by the Americans for Medical Rights. At the time, recreational marijuana was still illegal, though it has since been legalized in 2012.
Washington is now seen as a fairly liberal state regarding marijuana legalization, with changes occurring earlier and more progressively than in other regions across the U.S.
Qualified consumers can now apply for and be issued medical marijuana cards, also called recognition cards or cannabis I.D. cards. Those who hold cards are formally exempt from criminal and civil penalties.
Who is Eligible to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington?
To get a medical card, you must be a resident of the state of Washington. There is no age restriction for medical consumers. However, to get a medical card under the age of 18, individuals must have parent consent to cannabis consumption and become the registered caregiver. The conditions that make a person eligible to apply for a medical card can be found here.
Even if someone has at least one of these ailments, he or she must be seen by a health professional, including a medical doctor, physician assistant, osteopathic physician, osteopathic physician assistant, naturopathic physician, or advanced registered nurse practitioner. Should that physician decide that medical cannabis will be useful in treatment, the decision must be verified by at least one other consulting physician. Underage medical consumers must be reevaluated at least twice a year, and adult cardholders must be reevaluated at least once a year.
If you have an illness not listed above, the Cannabis Patient Protection Act does allow for petitions to be added to the list.
How Can I Get a Medical Card in Washington?
Procedure and process are outlined on the Washington State Department of Health website.
If you are seeking a medical card, you first need to get the go-ahead from a medical practitioner, as specified above. Following this, you should call a marijuana retail store and make an appointment with a certified consultant. He or she will help get you a medical recognition card and enter you into the database.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, "You’ll need to bring your authorization and state-issued identification to the appointment. A recognition card allows a patient many benefits such as purchasing product from a medically-endorsed store sales tax free."
How Much Marijuana Can My Medical Card Get Me in Washington?
Medical card holders in Washington can purchase and hold up to three ounces of usable marijuana, up to 48 ounces of marijuana-infused products in solid form, up to 216 ounces of infused marijuana product in liquid form or up to 21 grams of marijuana concentrates. This is seen as a very liberal possession limit compared to other states.
Your medical card also provides the right to grow plants at home. People have a right to grow six plants at a time. Healthcare professionals may allow up to 15 if your condition requires it. Pooling resources are allowed so you may work with other registered consumers to grow plants in a collective garden. Collective gardens may have up to 60 plants.
Recreational possession limits will be different on all accounts.
How Can I Buy Medical Marijuana in Washington?
There are marijuana dispensaries across the state of Washington. Although many were specialized to cultivate, manufacture, and sell to either medical or recreational customers, a number of medical-only dispensaries were forced to close after the passing of the Cannabis Patient Protection Act. To meet demand, however, recreational dispensaries often provide medical marijuana to medical consumers with valid medical cards.
Conflicting laws require that medical marijuana is purchased in cash or, on occasion, debit cards.
