Cannabis in Washington is legal for both medical and adult use.

Washington legalized cannabis for medical use in 1998  though ballot initiative I-692. In 2012, Washington became the first U.S. state to legalize cannabis for adult use (through ballot initiative  I-502).

In March 2020, Gov. Inslee signed HB 2870 to create a state level social equity program.

Within Washington’s adult use framework adults 21+ may possess up to 1 ounce of usable marijuana , 16 ounces of marijuana-infused edibles in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form, and 7 grams of marijuana concentrates. Individuals are not permitted to grow cannabis within their home for adult use. Within Washington’s medical framework Medical patients may possess up to 3 ounces of usable marijuana; Forty-eight ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form; two hundred sixteen ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form; or twenty-one grams of marijuana concentrates. The qualifying patient may also home grow up to six plants and possess up to eight ounces of useable marijuana produced from his or her plants.

In Washington, a “Social Equity Applicant” is:

1. i) An applicant with at least 51% ownership and control by one or more individuals who have resided for at least 5 of the preceding 10 years in a disproportionately impacted area. 
2. ii) An applicant who has at least fifty-one percent ownership and control by at least one individual who has been convicted of a cannabis offense or is a family member of such an individual.

In order to be considered for a retail license an applicant must be a social equity applicant and submit a social equity plan along with other marijuana retailer license application requirements to the board. While not a requirement of the social equity program specifically, cannabis licensure applicants must be residents of the state for at least six months.

In order to be considered for a retail license in Washington, an applicant must be a social equity applicant and submit a social equity plan. Washington State’s social equity provisions include technical assistance grants, priority licensing, regulatory compliance training and financial management training and assistance in seeking financing. Activities eligible for funding under the grant program include, but are not limited to, assistance with the marijuana retailer licensing process, marijuana business education and business plan development, regulatory compliance training, and connecting the social equity applicant with established industry members.

Under 2020 social equity legislation, The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Control Board may only issue new or revoked licenses to social equity applicants. The board may prioritize applicants based on the extent to which the application addresses the components of the social equity plan.

Washington does not offer fee reductions. The annual fee for issuance, re-issuance, or renewal for  social equity license holders is the same as for general applicants.

In Washington state, a total of $1,100,000 annually shall be paid to the department of commerce to fund the cannabis social equity program. The department receives its money from”The Dedicated Marijuana Fund.”