Are you the owner or employee of a Washington medical marijuana dispensary? Have you been watching the new changes to Washington’s medical marijuana laws and wondering how they’ll affect the future of your business?
If you’re unaware, Senate Bill 5052 was signed in April 2015 and will make major changes to the Washington medical market, the most profound modification being the absorption of medical marijuana dispensaries into the state’s highly regulated recreational cannabis market. This bill could affect many cannabis businesses that are currently operating.
While it’s crucial to know all of the rules behind 5052, we’ve highlighted important points from the bill that you need to be aware of so you can remain in compliance with Washington state’s new laws. Our goal is to keep you in business, but in the event that you do have to shut down, hopefully it’s only a temporary closure so you can re-open with a fresh new perspective under the proper compliance of Washington’s new cannabis market.
New Patient Possession Limits
Previously: Patients could possess up to 24 ounces of usable cannabis, or a 60-day supply
Now: Patients may possess:
- 3 ounces of cannabis
- 48 ounces of infused product in solid form
- 216 ounces of infused product in liquid form
- 21 grams of cannabis concentrates
New Patient Grow Limits
Previously: Patients could grow up to 15 plants
Now: Patients may grow 4-6 plants depending on their physician’s authorization
New Sales Tax Requirements
Previously: Patients paid sales tax
Now: Patients are exempt from sales tax, but are still subject to the state’s 37% excise tax (which you’ll have to start charging, too)
New Collective Garden Rules
Previously: Up to 10 people could participate in a community garden with a cap of 45 plants
Now: Only 4 patients may participate, but the maximum number of plants has been increased to 60
New Licensing Guidelines
Medical dispensaries must apply for a license to operate legally and certain dispensaries will get priority:
- If your business has been operating since January 2013
- If you or your establishment previously applied to the Liquor Control Board for an I-502 license
- If you have been paying your local and federal taxes as a legitimate, bona fide business
Although the newly dubbed Liquor and Cannabis Control Board has not yet announced how many licenses will be available, they have estimated that they expect upwards of 800 dispensaries to apply and that they will be approving approximately half on a merit-based system.
Even if you don’t meet all of the criteria, second preference will be given to those who meet partial requirements. If you and your business can comply with the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board’s new guidelines before the new program is implemented on July 1, 2016, you may have a shot at staying in business. Good luck!
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