State Liquor Control Board issues medical marijuana recommendations to Legislature

The Washington State Liquor Control Board would allow authorized medical marijuana patients to grow up to six plants for personal under a list of recommendations released on Wednesday to the Legislature regarding the regulation of medical marijuana.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board would allow authorized medical marijuana patients to grow up to six plants for personal under a list of recommendations released on Wednesday to the Legislature regarding the regulation of medical marijuana.

A proviso of the state operating budget directed the Liquor Control Board to work with the state departments of Revenue and Health to develop recommendations regarding the interaction of medical marijuana regulations and the emerging recreational marijuana system, according to a board media release.

Staff from the three agencies prepared draft recommendations for the board in eight categories that included possession amounts, medical marijuana authorizing requirements, taxation and other topics. Staff provided its draft recommendations to the Board on Oct. 21. The board reviewed written public input as well as held a special public meeting on Nov. 13.

The board accepted many of the staff recommendations with one major exception regarding the recommended prohibition on home growing of medical marijuana. The board is recommending allowing authorized medical marijuana patients up to six plants for personal use.

Here is the Liquor Control Board statement regarding its recommendations:

The Liquor Control Board has largely accepted staff’s recommendations with one major exception. We are recommending that authorized medical marijuana patients be allowed to grow up to six plants for personal use.

This decision is based on multiple conversations with the medical community, medical marijuana dispensary owners, medical professionals and others. Opinions are diverse. Ultimately, if a medical professional believes an authorized patient may benefit from the medical use of marijuana, we recommend that that individual may grow a limited number of plants at home for personal use.

These recommendations fulfill the requirement in the budget proviso found in Section 141 that requires the Liquor Control Board to make recommendations regarding the interaction of medical marijuana regulations and the emerging recreational marijuana system by Jan. 1, 2014. The process now moves to the Legislature for consideration during the 2014 legislative session.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
King County executive will nominate replacements for Upthegrove

District 5, which includes parts of Kent, will get new representative on County Council in January

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 24-Nov. 7

Incidents include carjacking, juvenile fight, stolen vehicle pursuit

t
State Patrol catches a pair of motorcycles going over 100 mph on I-5

See a video of their arrest. Agency uses air surveillance to pursue from Federal Way to Renton