Marijuana: What Visitors to Seattle and Washington State Need to Know
Although still a federal offense to manufacture, sell or possess marijuana, as of December 2012, Washington passed Initiative 502 (I-502), a law which allows adults over the age of 21 to purchase up to one ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuana infused products in solid form, 72 ounces of marijuana infused oils or up to seven grams of marijuana extract or concentrate, of for recreational use in the State of Washington. The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) is the governing body and its I-502 website should be considered the official resource for the law.
The basics:
- You must be 21 or older to have or use retail marijuana
- DO NOT sell or give retail marijuana to minors. It is illegal.
- DO NOT drive while high. It is illegal.
- DO NOT consume marijuana in public. It is illegal.
- DO NOT take marijuana out of the state. It is illegal.
- DO NOT purchase marijuana products from establishments that are not licensed to sell such products. It is Illegal.
- DO NOT take marijuana products onto cruise ships or onto federal land. This includes, but is not limited to the Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park, including the state’s ski areas. Any navigable waterway is patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard and therefore being in possession of marijuana would be illegal, as well.
A little more information:
- Marijuana purchases must be made in Washington State approved retail stores. The location of these can be found on the WSLBC website.
- The law states that it is illegal to open a package containing marijuana or marijuana product, or smoke marijuana in public. This includes but is not limited to parks and sidewalks, business and residential areas, and federal and public lands.
- It is also illegal to smoke marijuana in other locations where smoking is illegal, including bars, restaurants, buildings open to the public, places of employment, and areas within 25 feet of doors and ventilation openings.
- The majority of Seattle’s hotels are smoke-free. Seventy-five percent of Washington State’s hotels are non-smoking so it is recommend that you check with your hotel before smoking marijuana in a hotel room.
- Washington State’s DUI laws apply to driving under the influence of marijuana. An adult driver with 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood will be charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
For more information on Washington State’s legal marijuana laws, please consult the Laws, Rules & FAQs, provided by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.