On Nov 29, the LCB released the results from a new study to assess the feasibility of allowing WA state residents to cultivate and grow their own personal cannabis. I’m 100% in support of allowing “home grows” and look forward to the day I can grow my own personal stash and establish my own line of genetics.
More details from LCB here: https://lcb.wa.gov/marj/homegrow-study
Direct link to download the report [PDF]: https://lcb.wa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/WSLCB%20Home%20Grows%20Study%20Report%20FINAL.PDF
After a VERY quick scan, here are my initial takeaways.
TL:DR: LCB presented 3 options to the state legislature to consider regarding home grows:
- State control — LCB enforcement/oversight
- Local control — LCB writes rules/statues, local city/county enforcement/oversight
- Prohibit recreational home grows.
This report now goes to the state legislature for consideration. Bottom line: It’s going to cost a lot of $$$$ to enforce any kind of home grow system to be able to stand up to the Cole memo. Option #1 is likely to put an additional strain (and cost burden) on LCB, likely requiring additional state funding sources/taxes). Option #2 would present the same challenges to local city/county authorities tasked with enforcement if Option 2 is chosen. Option 3 would be a huge disappointment.
Here is the text of the three options. The full report contains a LOT more detail and I suggest you read the full 15 pages. If you have an opinion on this and want to make your voice heard, I highly suggest you contact the LCB and your local state legislators and share your thoughts.
LCB Contact info: https://lcb.wa.gov/contact
WA State Legislator Contact info: https://app.leg.wa.gov/memberemail/
–BDE
PS – To the cannabis industry IG fam…maybe take a minute and instead of spending it trying to capture that perfect selfie or dab shot to post on Instagram, and instead, find out who your state / city /county officials are and let them know what you think. Just a suggestion from an OG.
Three Options presented below by LCB in their report/study released Nov 29, 2017:
Option 1 – Tightly Regulated Recreational Home Grows – State Framework
- Allow recreational home grows under a strict state regulatory framework that requires a permit and tracking of plants throughout the state, with enforcement jurisdiction shared between the WSLCB and local authorities.
- Absent a permit, growing marijuana for any purpose is illegal other than already legally sanctioned medical marijuana home growing.
- Require tracking of all plants in the traceability system to help prevent diversion.
- Limit of no more than four plants per household.
- Include a statutory provision that allows law enforcement to seize and destroy all plants possessed by a person if the person has more plants than the law allows.
- Include a statutory provision to allow recreational growers to acquire plants from licensed producers so long as the person possesses a valid permit.
- Include requirements for security, preventing youth access, preventing diversion, etc.
- Include the same restrictions that apply to medical marijuana patients on processing marijuana in recreational home grows (no extraction with combustible materials. See WAC 314‐55‐430).
Option 2 – State Statute Framework, Local Authority Recreational Home Grows
- Allow recreational home grows under a regulatory framework based on statewide standards set in statute, but authorized, controlled, and enforced by local jurisdictions (counties, cities).
- Include statutory requirements for security, preventing youth access, preventing diversion, etc.
- Require a permit to possess plants. Absent a permit, growing marijuana for any purpose is illegal other than already legally sanctioned medical marijuana home grows.
- Limit of no more than four plants per household.
- Include a statutory provision to allow recreational growers to acquire plants from licensed producers so long as the person possesses a valid permit.
- Include a statutory provision that allows law enforcement to seize and destroy all plants possessed by a person if the person has more plants than the law allows.
- Include the same restrictions that apply to medical marijuana patients on processing marijuana in recreational home grows (no extraction with combustible materials. See WAC 314‐55‐430).
- Allow local jurisdictions to “opt‐in” for or “opt‐out” of allowing recreational home grows.
Option 3 – Prohibit Recreational Home Grows
- Do not allow recreational home grows. Maintain current status.
- A regulated system is in place and widely available throughout the state.
- Home grows for medical purposes, including cooperatives, are currently allowed under state law.
- Allowing recreational home grows may provide a cover for the illicit market. This has been seen in other states that permit home grows for both medical and recreational purposes.
- Recreational home grows may contribute to diversion, youth access, etc.; primary considerations under the guidelines set in the Cole Memo.