Washington’s Marijuana Laws

 

Washington’s Cannabis Laws (2025): What You Need to Know

Marijuana is legal in Washington for both medical and recreational use, but it is regulated by strict state laws.

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Key Points

• Age Requirement: Adults 21+ may use recreational or medical marijuana. Registered minors may use medical marijuana with a designated caregiver.

• Possession Limits

  • Recreational (21+): Up to 1 ounce of flower, 16 ounces of solid edibles, 72 ounces of infused liquid, or 7 grams of concentrate.

  • Medical (with valid authorization): Up to 24 ounces of flower, 48 ounces of solid edibles, 1.69 gallons of infused liquid, or 28 grams of concentrate.

• Cultivation: Recreational users cannot grow cannabis at home. Registered medical patients may grow:

  • Up to 15 plants and 24 ounces (if in the state registry)

  • Up to 4 plants and 24 ounces (if not registered)

• Licensing: Only individuals and businesses licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) may cultivate, process, or sell cannabis.

• Penalties: Possession over the legal limit is a crime:

  • Over 1 ounce but under 40 grams (for adults) = misdemeanor

  • Over 40 grams = felony (up to 5 years prison and $10,000 fine)

• Public Use: Cannabis cannot be consumed in public places, in vehicles, or on federal property. Public consumption carries a $100 fine.

• Driving: DUI applies if drivers have 5ng/ml or more of THC in their blood. Penalties include jail time, fines, license suspension, and possible vehicle seizure.

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History of Cannabis Legalization in Washington

• 1998 – Medical marijuana legalized (Initiative 692).

• 2012 – Recreational marijuana legalized (Initiative 502).

• 2014 – Retail sales officially began.

• 2015 – Cannabis Patient Protection Act (CPPA) integrated medical cannabis under WSLCB regulation.

• 2023–2025 – New bills expanded employee protections, regulated hemp products, and addressed ownership/licensing rules. A 2025 bill proposing home-grow for all adults was rejected.

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Sale of Cannabis

• Only licensed cannabis retailers may sell cannabis.

• Sales are limited to adults 21+ and registered medical patients.

• Medical patients are exempt from the 37% excise tax, but only at Washington State medical marijuana dispensaries. Click here for a list of dispensaries in Washington State.

• Legal products include: flower, edibles, concentrates, vape cartridges, and paraphernalia.

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Restrictions

• No transport across state lines.

• No use in public, drug-free zones, or within 1,000 feet of schools.

• Federal law still classifies marijuana as illegal.

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Federal Status

Marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. However, ongoing federal proposals (such as the MORE Act and CAOA) aim to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and establish national regulations.