4 Ways You Can Get Into BIG TROUBLE Despite Legal Marijuana in Washington State

November 10, 2014 By Manic Conrad

Breaking and of these 4 Washington State weed laws and you can spend some time in jail.

We live in one of two States where recreational marijuana is currently legal on the State level, which gives us this sense of freedom to carry up to an ounce of dried cannabis and smoke in the privacy of our homes. Some people are even pushing the limits of our freedoms by neglecting the regulations and possible citations of smoking outside in public, and lighting up wherever they choose. But when City Attorney Pete Holmes dismisses 100 tickets issued by the Seattle Police Department for public consumption of marijuana, it might be easy to think that we don’t have many limits with our newfound freedoms of a Washington State citizen and we can pretty much do what we please.

But not so fast! There are limits, and they come with some pretty stiff penalties if you break them and are convicted. Here are 4 weed laws in Washington State that can land you a felony and some time in jail.

1. Possessing More than 40 Grams of Dried Cannabis

In Washington, under State law, adults over the age of 21 are allowed to privately possess and consume up to an ounce of dried cannabis. Now, if you possess between 1 ounce and 40 grams (which is close to 1.5 ounces) and are convicted, you must spend at least 24 hours incarcerated (up to 90 days). And here is the real kicker: If you have more than 40 grams of marijuana in your possession and are convicted, you could see up to 5 years behind bars and up to $10,000 in fines.

2. Sale of Distribution of ANY Amount

If you sell or distribute any amount of cannabis with out a retail license, you can be incarcerated up to 5 years and fined up to $10,000. If this sale is to a minor at least 3 years younger than you, then the time of incarceration can be up to 10 years. And you can see double incarceration time and double the fines, if you are within 1000 ft of a school, school bus stop or in a public park, in a public housing project designated as a drug-free zone, or while riding public transportation.

3. Growing ANY Amount of Cannabis

Again, without the proper licensing, growing any amount of cannabis can get you in trouble. A felony of up to 5 years in jail and fines of up to $10,000. Again, just like sale or distribution, jail times and fines can double if you are within 1000 ft of a school, school bus stop or in a public park, in a public housing project designated as a drug-free zone, in public transportation.

4. Possessing More than 40 Grams of Hash & Concentrates

While you can get a misdemeanor by possessing less than 40 grams of hash & concentrates, more than this amount – or manufacture, sale, delivery or possession with intent – can land you behind bars for up to 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Better safe than sorry, right? For more information about these Washington State marijuana laws and penalties, and for other misdemeanors or felonies, check out NORML.

5 Washington State Marijuana Laws or Rules That NEED to Change NOW

November 5, 2014 By Manic Conrad

These 5 Marijuana Laws in Washington State Need to Change Sooner Than Later.

UPDATED: (This article has been updated based on some great feedback within the cannabis industry. Thank you Hillary Bricken for your ideas on 4 & 5)

Washington State marijuana legalization was SO two years ago but despite this, we still have a long way to go. And I’m not talking about the fact that Seattle still only has four legal marijuana retail shops – but you can throw that in there if you like as well.

In our opinions, there are 3 Washington State marijuana laws or regulations that need to change to not only exercise a bit more freedoms and stay relevant with the evolution of an industry, but because it just makes sense. A marijuana advocate might argue that all of the following could help make marijuana easily accessible to those who require help medical marijuana or would help lessen the stigma marijuana has cultivated in the past.

1. Allow Recreational Marijuana Delivery

What’s better than having a smoking hot cheesy pepperoni pizza delivered to your door? Marijuana. For a couple years now you can pick up the phone, dial a number, talk to some mysterious person on the other end, and before you know it – or hours later, depending on how busy they were, you could have a treat at your doorstep. Grey Area beauty at its’ finest. If our friends over the border can shop marijuana online, then why can’t we? This is the land of the free isn’t it? Things are changing all over the world now, there are so many other things that people can get, such as things like these Art Glass Express avocados. Why should some people be allowed to buy this product and others not?

Those days are not gone as there are some local Seattle weed delivery services that still operate despite regulations against it, such as cult favorites Club Raccoons. But we have to admit, it’s just not the same without local national hero Winterlife Cooperative, ever since they became legit and in the process of readying their product for legal retail shops.

First, and foremost, bring back the grey-area recreational marijuana industry but make it legit. Not only would it be convenient to have an industry of cannabis couriers delivering their fine product, but the tax dollars for the city will be off the hook! And residents of cannabis starved neighborhoods such as Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, University District and Downtown won’t have to go on expeditions searching for legal marijuana.

2. Allow Marijuana Bars, Safe Spaces, or Amsterdam Style Coffeeshops

This is a no brainer. As of now, there aren’t many places where one can legally consume marijuana. Most people have to order online and have their marijuana packages delivered from companies such as Bongsmart and enjoy them on their own. And because of this, more and more people are just saying fuck it, and lighting up on the streets. After all, the fine is petty. And if your are so unlucky that you do get a ticket, there’s always a chance it could get thrown out.

Allow marijuana bars, safe spaces like they have in Vancouver, B.C., or Amsterdam style coffee shops, so adults would be able to have a place to go, enjoy themselves, and have a toke. Not only would this give adults in Washington State a place to go, but it would also help the city regulate public consumption of marijuana.

3. Allow Us to Grow Plants, Dammit!

In Colorado, you can legally grow plants in your home. In Washington State you can’t. We are going to be like that brat during the holidays that didn’t get the gift that their friend or sibling received, and demand we get it too. Not only this would extend our freedoms, but adults to grow plants – and even gift it to their friends – could help eliminate some of the black market.

For more information, check out these rules or regulations set by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

4. Add More Storefronts

Once all 27 recreational marijuana shops open in Seattle, we will defiantly be better off than we are today with only four. But still, 27 legal marijuana shops serving the city of Seattle is such a small number, especially when you compare this number with the number of pot shops in Amsterdam, or even Denver, Colorado. If our #2 suggestion was implemented, maybe this would help out overall.

5. Lower Taxes

Ah yes, the high price of recreational marijuana. One complaint we have heard more than any other is how damn expensive legal marijuana is. Much more expensive than medical marijuana and the black market. One reason for that are the high retail taxes. Lower the taxes and the black market will have less leverage.

What do you think of these Washington State marijuana laws or regulations that need to change now? Would you take away add anything to the list?