The Complete Guide to Cannabis in Seattle

Welcome to the world of cannabis in Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use. Whether you’re a resident or just visiting, it’s essential to understand the local cannabis rules if you intend on partaking in town. Here’s everything you need to know about buying medical and recreational cannabis in Seattle.

Key Takeaways

Legal Age: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase and use recreational marijuana.
Purchase Limits: Adults 21+ can possess up to three ounces of cannabis, while medical patients can possess up to three ounces.
Consumption Rules: Public consumption is prohibited; enjoy your cannabis in private spaces.
Approved Dispensaries: Always buy from state-licensed dispensaries to ensure you get safe, regulated medical marijuana products.

Now, let’s explore the specifics of cannabis laws in Seattle, Washington, and guide you through the essentials for an informed and enjoyable experience.

Everything to Know

cannabis laws by state

What are cannabis laws in Washington?

Cannabis is legal for recreational and medical purposes in Washington state. However, delta-8 and other cannabis products derived from chemically changing CBD are illegal. There also remain restrictions on public consumption, driving while under the influence, and underage purchase and consumption of cannabis.

Washington legalized medical cannabis in 1998. Since then, the program for medical cardholders has been expanded to include employee protections, state law enforcement policy updates, and cultivation permissions.

Medical marijuana patients registered with the state’s voluntary patient database can possess three ounces of usable flower, 21 grams of cannabis concentrate, 216 ounces of cannabis-infused product in liquid form, or 48 ounces of cannabis-infused product in solid form. These limits can be exceeded if the patient’s doctor recommends it.

Medical marijuana patients registered with the state in the voluntary patient database can grow up to six mature cannabis plants for medicine and personal use. If a patient is not registered in the database, they can grow no more than four plants. Cultivation is also unlawful for recreational marijuana users in Washington.

With the passage of Initiative Measure 502 in 2012, Washington became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in the country. However, sales from state-licensed dispensaries did not commence until 2014.

Washington has some of the highest cannabis taxes in the country. Customers pay a 37 percent excise tax, 6.5 percent sales tax, and any existing local tax on marijuana products. As of June 2024, medical cannabis patients registered in the state’s database are exempt from this excise tax.

Recreational users can possess one ounce of dry cannabis flower, seven grams of cannabis concentrate, 72 ounces of cannabis-infused product in liquid form, or 16 ounces of cannabis-infused product in solid form.

Violating possession limits or selling cannabis without a license can incur penalties, including fines and jail time. Depending on the severity of the offense, fines can range from $50 to $20,000, and sentences can vary from 24 hours to ten years.

CBD is also legal in Washington state. However, delta-8, delta-10 THC, THC-O, and other forms of what the state classifies as “synthetic THC” cannabis products are illegal for sale. Violators caught selling these products can have their licenses revoked.

As of January 1, 2024, employers in Washington are prohibited from making hiring decisions based on pre-employment testing for off-the-job cannabis use or test results showing nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in an applicant’s hair, blood, urine, or other bodily fluids, thanks to Washington’s new law, Senate Bill 5123.

Employers retain the right to use scientifically valid drug tests for hiring decisions, provided these tests do not screen for inactive cannabis metabolites. They may continue to employ comprehensive drug tests that detect various controlled substances, including cannabis, as long as results specific to past cannabis use are withheld from the employer.

The law explicitly exempts certain types of controlled-substance testing from its restrictions, such as post-accident evaluations or tests conducted due to suspected impairment from alcohol, controlled substances, medications, or other intoxicants. Furthermore, the legislation does not infringe on an employer’s right to maintain a workplace free from drugs and alcohol.

What are cannabis laws in Seattle?

Washington state law protects private cannabis consumption, but cannabis cannot be consumed in Seattle in public places, such as on streets or sidewalks or in public parks. In addition, Washintgon’s Smoking in Public Places law bans smoking of any kind in public places and places of work.

Seattle Municipal Code also prohibits recreational cannabis consumption in public, meaning in view of the general public, and includes businesses open to the general public.

The WA state cannabis excise tax is 37 percent, which the consumer pays this tax at the time of purchase. Medical cannabis patients are exempt from this tax.

Qualifying conditions

According to the state of Washington, an individual must have a “terminal or debilitating medical condition” to qualify for medical cannabis. The state defines a debilitating medical condition as “severe enough to significantly interfere with the patient’s activities of daily living and ability to function, which can be objectively assessed and evaluated.” Qualifying conditions for Seattle medical cannabis include the following:

Cancer
Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis
Crohn’s disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications
Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications
Epilepsy
Glaucoma, acute or chronic, increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments or medications
Intractable pain
Multiple sclerosis
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seizure disorder
Spasticity disorders
Terminal illness
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

How to Get a Medical Cannabis Card in Seattle

closeup hand holding MMJ card

Even though adult-use cannabis is legal in Seattle, there are many reasons why an individual would opt to become a medical marijuana patient.

To qualify for a Washington medical marijuana card, you must be a Washington resident over the age of 18, approved by a physician, and certified by the state. Patients under the age of 18 must have not only parental permission but must designate a parent or guardian as their caregiver.

You can discuss qualifying for medical marijuana with your current physician or search for a Seattle cannabis doctor to learn if your health concern may benefit from cannabis use.

Telehealth services are permitted for medical marijuana certification renewal in Seattle and the state of Washington. Contact Leafwell to start your application today and get professional guidance through every step of the process. However, you must see a physician in person to get your first recommendation, though this can be your primary care physician rather than a specialty doctor.

Once you’ve received your medical marijuana certification, it’s recommended, but not required, that you join the medical cannabis authorization database. Patients and designated providers who hold valid authorizations but aren’t entered into the database may only purchase per the laws and rules for non-patients.

Patients entered into the database will also have an affirmative defense against criminal prosecution if they possess no more than four plants and six ounces of usable cannabis.

To join the authorization database, follow these steps:

Take your authorization form to any licensed and medically endorsed cannabis store.
The medical marijuana consultant will enter your details into the database.
They will also take your photo and provide you with a card. The fee ranges from $1 to $10.

Patients under 18 can obtain a Washington medical marijuana card in Washington but must have a parent or guardian as their designated provider.

This person acts as a caregiver authorized by the patient and a licensed physician to purchase, provide, or grow cannabis for their child or patient. A designated provider must be at least 21 and can only care for one patient at a time.

Other Advantages of a Medical Cannabis Card

jars of cannabis on a tables with hands of people visible and an MMJ card

Registered medical cannabis patients in Washington enjoy several benefits, including reduced taxes, employee protections, the ability to grow cannabis at home, and higher possession limits.

Age Requirements: One key difference between medical and recreational cannabis laws in Seattle is the age requirement. Recreational users must be at least 21 years old. In contrast, medical cannabis patients can be 18 or younger with parental consent, two physician recommendations, and a qualifying medical condition.

Possession Limits: Possession limits also vary. Recreational users can possess up to one ounce of cannabis in hand and up to 10 ounces at home. Medical cannabis patients can possess a 60-day supply of cannabis, generally up to 10 ounces, but this can be increased if their healthcare provider deems it necessary.

Tax Benefits: A recent state law allows Seattle residents with a medical marijuana card to avoid the nation’s highest tax on the drug. Washington’s 37 percent tax rate does not apply to medical cannabis purchases if the buyer is listed in the state’s voluntary patient database.

Cultivation Rules: Cultivation is only allowed for medical marijuana patients in Washington. Registered cardholders in the voluntary patient identification registry can grow up to six plants. Without registration, medical patients can grow up to four mature plants. Recreational users are still prohibited from growing cannabis. However, a bill (HB 1614) in the state legislature could change this, allowing adults 21 and older to grow up to six plants, with a maximum of 15 plants per household.

Where to Consume Cannabis in Seattle?

person smoking joint on green background

In Seattle, smoking cannabis in public is illegal and can result in fines, though not jail time. This ban includes opening marijuana products in public view. Cannabis use in vehicles is also prohibited, even when parked. When transporting cannabis, keep it sealed in its original packaging in the car’s passenger area.

Currently, Seattle doesn’t allow cannabis lounges or bars, though this may change in the future. Legal consumption is limited to private residences inside homes or fenced yards out of public view. However, landlords may prohibit cannabis use in rental properties.

For tourists, some vacation rentals and hotels offer cannabis-friendly options. Look for “420-friendly” listings on Airbnb or specialized sites like Bud & Breakfast. While most hotels ban smoking, some allow vaping or edible consumption in rooms. Local bed-and-breakfasts tend to be more accommodating to cannabis users.

Visitors should plan ahead and book cannabis-friendly accommodations early. Always consume responsibly and adhere to local cannabis laws and property rules. Remember, these regulations apply to both recreational and medicinal cannabis users in Seattle.

Local Brands / Producers

where to buy cannabis locally

Here are a few of our favorite Seattle- and Washington-based cannabis brands:

Cannabis Products Only Available in Seattle and Washington

cannabis topical cream

While many CBD and hemp products are generally legal nationwide, companies selling THC-containing cannabis products have to comply with local and state-wide regulations. As such, some cannabis brands are exclusively available in Washington – we’ve listed some of our favorites here: