Apply For Your Washington Medical Marijuana Card

The Status of Cannabis in Washington

House Bill 1563 in Washington, which has passed both the House and Senate, aims to protect medical cannabis users who have valid authorizations but aren’t officially registered or have recognition cards. If it becomes law, these users won’t be arrested for using medical cannabis.

However, Washington’s medical cannabis is seemingly second to its recreational program, with the New York Law Journal boasting the Empire State should copy the Evergreen State, especially due to COVID-19. Between outmigration and business loss, the East Coast City needs some West Coast advice, which is to recreational cannabis. 

According to the journal, $395.5 million in legal cannabis industry profits is reason enough alone to make it legal. While Washington is an example of how lucrative legalizing cannabis for recreational use can be, the state also promotes a strong medicinal program, which is tax free. Meanwhile on the verge of the November 2020 General Election, the West Coast state is once again being used as an example in a Politico report, detailing the many states with recreational use on the ballot. 

“Less than a decade after Colorado and Washington pioneered the modern legalization movement,” reports Politico when discussing New Jersey, Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, and Minnesota. If all of the states vote yes to respective ballot questions, up to one-third of the U.S. will have made the recreational use of cannabis legal.

Qualifying Conditions

Washington has more than a dozen qualifying conditions that make residents eligible for the statewide medical cannabis program.

Patients with terminal or debilitating medical conditions may benefit from the medicinal use of marijuana under the supervision of their health care practitioners.

Terminal or chronic medical condition means a condition sufficiently severe to substantially interfere with the everyday life and functional activities of the patient, which can be measured and evaluated objectively, and limited to the following:

• Cancer
• HIV
• Multiple sclerosis
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Spasticity disorders
• Intractable pain, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean pain unrelieved by standard medical treatments and medications.
• Glaucoma, either acute or chronic, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications.
• Crohn’s disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting (cachexia), appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis
• PTSD
• Traumatic brain injury

Mental health conditions do not qualify under the current laws for medical cannabis in Washington. As of 2015, patients are no longer able to petition for medical conditions to be added. Instead, adding qualifying conditions to the list require acts of the legislature to change the law.

Along with having one or more of the qualifying conditions, a patient must prove they are a Washington resident with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. The state only charges $1 to register for the statewide program, unlike most states that charge a minimum of $50 and upwards of $150.

Caregivers

The requirements for Washington designated providers (caregivers) are straightforward, mandating they be at least 21-years-old and a resident of the state, which must be proven with a valid driver’s license or current state identification card. Additionally, they must be listed on the patient’s medical marijuana authorization form. A designated provider (caregiver) must have their information entered into the medical marijuana database and will receive a designated provider recognition card. The medical marijuana authorization form must be fully completed and printed on tamper-resistant paper. Both the patient and caregiver each sign their own copies of this form containing the same information.

If the patient is under the age of 18, the designated provider (caregiver) must be a parent or legal guardian in addition to the rules stated above. Once approved, a caregiver can both cultivate or purchase medical cannabis on behalf of the patient only. A caregiver is not allowed to consume any medical cannabis prescribed for the patient and may only serve as a designated provider (caregiver) for one patient at a time.

How do I become a medical marijuana patient in Washington State?

In order to become a medical marijuana patient in Washington State, you need to be a Washington citizen and make an appointment with your health care provider to see whether you qualify under Washington State law.

If a healthcare professional, which you can connect with one easily through Veriheal, believes that the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes will help your medical condition, he or she can complete a medical marijuana authorization form for you.

Possession and Cultivation

A medical cannabis patient or designated caregiver is allowed to possess 1 ounce of usable cannabis, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused products in solid form, 72 ounces of cannabis-infused product in liquid form, and 7 grams of cannabis concentrate. The state also reports that “if the patient’s healthcare practitioner determines the patient requires more than the presumptive amount, they may authorize,” them to possess up to 15 plants or 16 ounces of usable cannabis from their growing plants. 

Additionally, unless an area is designated as a cooperative garden, then “no more than 15 plants may be grown or located in any one housing unit even if multiple qualifying patients or designated providers reside in the housing unit,” reports the state. A cooperative allows up to four medical marijuana patients or designated providers to grow together, but they must register with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and follow the designated laws. These laws include rules such that the cooperative can have a maximum of 60 plants that are only grown in the designated cooperative area and nowhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Places to Visit in Washington After Enjoying Your Medicine

The Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and Olympic National Park are at least three reasons to reside or visit Washington. Famous for towering evergreen trees that are wide enough for cars to drive through, Washington has everything from the Bavarian Village Leavenworth to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, one of many sleeping volcanoes. Sol Duc Hot Springs is where many locals and visitors retreat when not walking the Pacific Crest trail atop mountains. Of course, stopping in Seattle when in Washington is a must, which totally completes the Pacific Northwest trip.

Space Needle

The iconic towering rod in the Seattle sky, known as the Space Needle, continues to draw visitors to the Pacific Northwest, making the sight a must-see when in town. A symbol of the 1964 World Fair in the city, where 74 acres of entertainment still remains. Between the monorails and museums, and awesome eateries, it is easy to spend a day flying away the time while having fun. With gardens and fountains throughout the center, stopping to smell the roses is always an option.

Olympic National Park

Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, and Hurricane Ridge all make up the gorgeousness of Olympic National Park. After taking the Olympic Peninsula's scenic drive on US 101, locals and visitors alike usually stop at Rialto Beach, sandy shores only minutes from colossal evergreen trees. Sol Duc Hot Springs is where they most find their Zen, soaking in the earth's natural warmth. Most end the day at the park with a hike, ending up at Marymere Falls, just another gorgeous part of the national park.

San Juan Islands

Washington even has islands, a set of four that are reachable by ferry. San Juan National Park has everything the islands could ask for, from fresh seafood restaurants to water recreation. The islands offer whale watching, giving visitors a chance to see the awesome-sized mammal. Sea kayaking is also available, giving patrons a chance to experience the seas themselves. The San Juan Islands are ideal for camping, lodging, or only spending a few hours of a warm afternoon to pass away the time watching whales.