Showing posts with label marijuana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marijuana. Show all posts

Bill introduced by Rep. Lauren Davis would limit high-potency cannabis products

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Rep. Lauren Davis, D-32
OLYMPIA – High-potency THC cannabis products pose physical and mental harms that must be addressed, according to legislation introduced by Rep. Lauren Davis (D-Shoreline) and Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake).

“Today, there’s no legal limit on the potency of the psychoactive element, THC, in cannabis concentrates,” Davis said. 
“Cannabis vape oils, dabs, and shatter are regularly sold with a THC potency of nearly 100 percent—a ten-fold increase in potency from when cannabis was legalized in 2012. These concentrated products are different. And dangerous.”

House Bill 2320 spreads awareness of the dangers of high-potency THC to Washingtonians and funds the development of interventions in healthcare settings for individuals at risk of adverse health impacts from high THC products.

“The cannabis industry has changed considerably since cannabis was legalized,” Dent said. “This legislation is needed to address the everchanging market and put some measures in place to protect cannabis users and our youth.”

The bill, which will be heard in the House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 16, also raises the age of purchase of high THC products to 25, consistent with science about brain development.

According to Dr. Beatriz Carlini, from the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute, these high-THC cannabis products are “as close to the cannabis plant as strawberries are to frosted strawberry pop tarts.”

House Bill 2320 recognizes a consensus statement released by The University of Washington and Washington State University about the public health risks posed by high THC products.

That statement summarizes the best available science: “the use of cannabis with high THC concentration increases the chances of developing cannabis use disorder or addiction to cannabis, particularly among adolescents. … Daily cannabis use, particularly of high-potency products, increases the risk of developing a psychotic disorder, like schizophrenia, and is related to an earlier onset of symptoms compared to people who do not use cannabis.”

The number of young people who are being impacted by the high potency of cannabis is increasing rapidly. It is leading to serious mental health issues such as psychosis,” Dent said. “We need to address this crisis before it filters deeper into our communities.”

If enacted, the legislature would also provide funding to the Department of Health to inform Washingtonians about the harms associated with high-potency THC cannabis products through social marketing and public health messages.

“This is a case where an addiction-for-profit industry has outpaced public policy,” Davis said. “It is our duty as lawmakers to learn from history and not repeat it. We must act now to protect public health. It is past time.”

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Suspect captured during burglary at cannabis dispensary in Lake Forest Park

Friday, January 12, 2024

The Kushery on 15th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park

On January 11, 2024 at approximately 5am, LFPPD officers rapidly responded to a call from a local resident about suspicious activity adjacent to The Kushery Cannabis Dispensary, located at 19258 15th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park

While on their way to the scene, officers received updated information that a vehicle had crashed into the side of the building. Upon arrival, an LFPPD officer tried to block the associated vehicles at the establishment, but they managed to escape. 

However, one individual was apprehended at the scene and taken into custody. The incident resulted in an undetermined quantity of products being stolen from the business.

A fleeing vehicle collided with another unrelated vehicle at the intersection of 19th Ave NE and Ballinger Way NE (SR 104). The driver of the fleeing vehicle left the scene, and it was discovered that the vehicle, a Kia sport utility vehicle, had been reported stolen from Shoreline but was previously unreported. 

Despite conducting a Redmond PD K-9 track in the neighborhood near the collision site, no additional suspects were located.

With the support of King County AFIS, the business and the crashed vehicle underwent processing. Bothell PD officers, Shoreline, Kenmore, and King County deputies aided LFPPD in their efforts. 

Shoreline PD took charge of processing the collision scene within their jurisdiction. The investigation remains ongoing, and the police department is actively gathering information regarding potential additional suspects and any possible involvement of additional vehicles in the incident.

The Lake Forest Park Police Department is a state accredited police agency serving the citizens of the city of Lake Forest Park in King County, Washington. It is a partner agency in the Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA) of King County.


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Cannabis dispensary investigation in Lake Forest Park

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Photo from Google maps
On January 5, 2024, LFPPD officers rapidly responded to a burglary alarm at the Mr. Greens Cannabis Dispensary, located at 15029 Bothell Way NE in Lake Forest Park.

Upon arrival, officers found an abandoned Kia sedan next to the business that had been used to ram a hole in the side of the business.

With the assistance of an Edmonds PD K-9 team and assisting officers from Bothell PD, the building was checked and cleared.

The suspects had left prior to the officers’ arrival. An unknown quantity of product was stolen from the business.

The abandoned Kia sedan was found to be an unreported, stolen vehicle from Kirkland. The crime scene was processed with the assistance of King County AFIS.

The investigation is continuing, and the department is developing information as to how many suspects and possible additional vehicles were involved.

The Lake Forest Park Police Department is a state accredited police agency serving the citizens of the city of Lake Forest Park in King County, Washington. It is a partner agency in the Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA) of King County.


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Illegal marijuana grow house discovered in Lake Forest Park

Monday, June 24, 2019

Illegal grow house in LFP
Photo courtesy LFP Police


The Lake Forest Park Police Department recently received complaints regarding a home in the Hillside neighborhood that was suspected to be operating as an illegal marijuana grow house.

The residence was in the 2800 block of Meadow Place in Lake Forest Park. The initial investigation showed the high use of electricity, strong odor of green growing marijuana, and unusual activity. As the detectives continued their investigation, they found related history of another growing operation investigated in 2008 by Lake Forest Park Police.

Lake Forest Park Police obtained search warrants and with the assistance of the Northsound Metro SWAT and the Major Crimes Task Force through the Coalition of Small Police Agencies (CSPA), they served the warrant on Monday morning, June 24, 2019.

As a result, detectives confirmed the home was solely being used to illegally cultivate marijuana. All three levels of the home were being used for various stages of growing. They seized over 350 marijuana plants.

The home was vacant at the time and detectives are continuing their investigation. The homeowner did not have a license through the State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and did not have a Medical Marijuana Cooperative license.

These illegal activities embedded in our neighborhoods pose a risk to families and children. The Lake Forest Park Police Department will continue to partner with our community members in order to help solve these problems and enhance neighborhood livability.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Sergeant Ross Adams at 206-364-8216 or radams@cityoflfp.com or Detective Troxell at 206-957-2860 atroxell@cityoflfp.com while referencing incident number 2019-05815.

More information on Marijuana Regulation in Washington State here


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Cannabis 101

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Dockside Cannabis 15029 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133 is holding a class on cannabis Saturday from 1-3pm. Space limited to 15, so be sure to RSVP.

A beginner-friendly budtender-led group discussion for sharing cannabis plant knowledge.



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Kohl-Welles: Liquor and Cannabis Board responds to call for testing of legal marijuana for pesticides

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles released this statement after the announcement September 15 from the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) on the testing of pesticides in legal marijuana: 

“I applaud the good work of the Liquor and Cannabis Board responding to my calls for the testing of pesticides in legal marijuana sold at licensed I-502 stores in our state. As I stated in my guest column in the Seattle Times on March 27th and as part of a June 16th King County Board of Health presentation, I have concerns about the presence of pesticides in legal marijuana and the need to protect public health and safety. 
“Because of my concerns, I introduced legislation at the County that would require testing of marijuana products for prohibited pesticides. 
“The LCB’s plan to work with the Washington State Department of Agriculture to randomly test products and to test samples after consumer complaints appears to help this new industry begin to provide safer cannabis products. However, I believe testing could be conducted more readily by independent labs that already have the capacity and experience. 
“I plan to continue my efforts in working with producer/processors, retailers, and labs to determine if the County should have a role in ensuring product safety. I will work with these groups and the state to ensure that marijuana consumers in King County can have confidence in safe and tested products.”


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Council committee discusses steps to keep pesticides out of cannabis

Friday, September 2, 2016

Pesticides?
The Metropolitan King County Council’s Health, Housing and Human Services Committee heard from the County’s Chief Medical Officer and other health experts on the proposed legislation to establish a prohibited pesticides testing program for marijuana retailers.

The goal of the ordinance is to ensure that marijuana products being sold in King County do not contain banned pesticides and to make consumers aware of the chemicals going into their bodies when using pot and pot-based products.

Dr. Jeffrey Duchin King County’s Chief Medical Officer, was joined by Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, MultiCare Institute of Research and Innovation, in speaking to the committee on the potential threat to public health and safety caused by prohibited pesticides in marijuana products being available at retail marijuana stores.

Those using marijuana for medical conditions could be impacted by the pesticides used in the cultivation and processing of marijuana.

Voters supported the legalization of recreational use of marijuana in 2012 with the adoption of Initiative 502, and marijuana and other cannabis-based products have been available to medical patients prior to the passage of I-502.

Under the proposed legislation, a new program in the Seattle / King County Department of Public Health would obtain marijuana products from licensed marijuana retailers and test those products for prohibited pesticides.

Public Health would create a website to inform the public about products that were purchased from county retail stores that contain prohibited pesticides, and would also provide the results to the LCB.

The committee is expected to act on the legislation at its September 20 meeting.



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Medical Marijuana Database operational

Friday, July 1, 2016

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday morning that the medical marijuana database is operational. The database is necessary to produce medical marijuana “recognition” cards.

Patients must take their authorization form to a licensed medical marijuana store to receive their recognition card.

Under the new medical marijuana law, recognition cards are required if patients and designated providers 21 and older wish to have access to the following benefits:

  • Purchase products sales-tax free. 
  • Purchase up to three times the current legal limit for recreational users. 
  • Purchase high-THC infused products. 
  • Grow more than four plants in their residence. 
  • Have full protection from arrest, prosecution, and legal penalties, although patients will still have an affirmative defense. 

Patient safety is a priority, and DOH is committed to ensuring that all marijuana and marijuana products sold are safe.

If you are an authorized retail store you can find user guides and contact technical support here.



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Deptartment of Health: Update on Medical Marijuana database

Thursday, June 30, 2016

An update from the State Department of Health, re their previous warning about potential difficulties for holders of medical marijuana cards because of the state database (see previous article).


Update on Medical Marijuana Database 

"We have made significant progress over the past few days; however, there are a few challenges we have to overcome before the system goes live.

"Our goal is to have the medical marijuana database operational on July 1 so patients can benefit under the new medical marijuana law.

"Patient safety is a priority, and we want to ensure the database is properly working before it is available statewide."



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Department of Health: Medical marijuana database may not be operational by July 1

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

From the State Department of Health

The Department of Health wants medical marijuana patients and providers to be prepared for possible delays when the new medical marijuana law takes effect July 1.

The law requires DOH to oversee the development and administration of the medical marijuana authorization database.

We are currently experiencing some software challenges with the database, and it may not be ready by July 1.

The database is necessary to produce recognition cards. Under the new law, recognition cards are required if patients and designated providers 21 and older wish to have access to the following benefits:
  • Purchase products sales-tax free. 
  • Purchase up to three times the current legal limit for recreational users. 
  • Purchase high-THC infused products. 
  • Grow more than four plants in their residence. 
  • Have full protection from arrest, prosecution, and legal penalties, although patients will still have an affirmative defense. 

Patients and providers can still purchase marijuana from authorized retail stores; however, they can’t take advantage of the benefits until the database is operational.

The department is committed to ensuring patient safety, and it will continue to work on having the database ready as soon as possible.

We will issue a status update no later than Thursday if we can’t meet the deadline.

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Workshop: What Do We Know About Marijuana Use?

Saturday, December 5, 2015

What Do We Know About Marijuana Use?

What does the recent Bastyr University "Survey of Cannabis Use" tell us about who Cannabis users are, their beliefs about Cannabis, their use patterns, side effects, and the therapeutic benefits they experience?

What are the potential risks and/or benefits of Cannabis as a therapeutic or recreational agent?

Laurie K Mischley, ND MPH, Bastyr University will discuss what we know about Marijuana use.

Wednesday, December 9, 7-8:30pm, Shoreline Library large meeting room. 345 NE 175th St, Shoreline 98155.



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Watch the kids - cannabis comes in fizzy fruit drinks

Tuesday, October 20, 2015



Cannabis cookies, candy, and now fizzy fruit drinks. Probably good for non-smoking adults, but dangerous for children.

Here's part of the advertising blurb:

Thanks to their pretty packaging, convenient carrying case and colorful measuring cup, Cannabis Quencher Sparkling introduces the next level of cannabis consumption. These chic carbonated mocktails are sure to leave you with a bubbly buzz at your next weekend brunch!


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State health officials take steps to ensure safe and reliable marijuana for medical patients

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

State Department of Health officials took a major step Tuesday toward ensuring access to safe and reliable marijuana products that may be helpful to medical patients. Emergency rules filed today are intended to provide initial guidelines while the standard rule-making process is underway to adopt permanent rules under state legislation that brings recreational and medical laws together.

Two state laws passed by the 2015 legislature require state health officials to establish rules that set standards for active ingredients, testing, labeling, and safe handling of marijuana products. The rules must also include marijuana business employee education standards.

The deadline to have marijuana products available to qualifying medical patients that comply with the standards is July 1, 2016. The usual rulemaking process wouldn’t leave enough time for growers and processors to adopt procedures ensuring their products are compliant. Because the rules cover marijuana production from the earliest stage of plant growth, they must be in place at least six months before anticipated sales begin July 1. So emergency rules were filed today at the same time as the standard rules process, enabling growers to get started sooner while state health officials progress through the process for permanent rules.



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Lake Forest Park approves recreational marijuana zoning

Friday, April 10, 2015

The Lake Forest Park City Council took final action at its April 9 meeting to approve local zoning that would allow recreational marijuana retail facilities in two areas of the City.

In speaking to the adoption, Councilmember John Resha noted that by allowing sales in limited locations while carefully managing its zoning, Lake Forest Park did a good job of carrying out the will of the voters and balancing the needs of the city.

He also noted the planning commission and the council took care to use local zoning authority to protect the safety of children and families using parks and recreational facilities.

This action lifts the temporary moratorium the City put in place to allow the work of the planning commission and council to be completed.



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Attorney General seeks to join marijuana lawsuits

Friday, August 1, 2014

marijuana leaves
Attorney General Bob Ferguson moved to intervene in three marijuana lawsuits filed against the cities of Wenatchee and Fife. Businesses that applied for marijuana licenses have sued these cities in Chelan and Pierce County Superior Courts to challenge city ordinances that block them from operating. The AGO is intervening to defend Initiative 502, not to support the plaintiffs’ or cities’ positions.

“As Attorney General, my job is to make sure the will of the people is upheld,” said Ferguson. “If any party to these lawsuits seeks to overturn state laws, my office will be there to defend the law.”

The AGO is authorized by law to intervene in a lawsuit to protect the interests of the people of the state. Intervention means the AGO would become a party to each lawsuit and be able to participate fully in briefings, hearings and trial. The AGO often intervenes, for example, in environmental and consumer protection cases.

Approved by voters in 2012, I-502 legalized the possession and sale of recreational marijuana in Washington and created a system of state licensing and regulation.

The cities of Wenatchee and Fife passed local ordinances that prohibit operating marijuana businesses within their cities. The plaintiffs in SMP Retail, LLC v. Wenatchee, Graybeard Holdings, LLC v. Fife and MMH, LLC v. Fife seek to invalidate these local ordinances so they can sell recreational marijuana.

Evaluating the claims in the Wenatchee and Fife lawsuits will require the courts to interpret I-502 and determine whether, under the initiative and the Washington Constitution, state law preempts local authority to legislate on this subject.  A formal opinion released by the AGO in January 2014 concluded that, as drafted, I-502 does not prevent cities and counties from banning marijuana businesses.

Some local governments that have banned marijuana businesses have said that, if sued by potential local marijuana businesses, they will argue that federal law preempts I-502. The AGO intends to intervene in such cases in the future, to ensure that I-502 is properly interpreted under state law and to defend against any claim of federal preemption. 


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CORRECTED: Shoreline Planning Commission - public hearing on transition area setbacks

Thursday, September 26, 2013

CORRECTION: The Planning Commission will not be holding the study session on marijuana regulations, at the request of the City Council. 09-27-2013 5:00pm

As part of its meeting on Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 7-9pm, the Shoreline Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the reconsideration of the transition area setback

The meeting begins at 7pm in the Shoreline City Council Chambers, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133. The public hearing opens at 7:10pm with the following order of business:
  • Staff Presentation 
  • Questions by the Commission 
  • Public Testimony 
  • Final Questions and Deliberations 
  • Vote to Recommend Approval or Denial or Modification 
  • Closure of Public Hearing 
You may download the entire meeting packet here.

The public is welcome to attend planning commission meetings and a time is set aside for public comment. The meetings are not recorded or televised.

The planning commission is on the front line, studying issues of land use and zoning, and making recommendations to the city council. The commission is an all-volunteer group, appointed by the City Council.


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Sheriff Urquhart's testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Testimony of Sheriff John Urquhart to the Senate Judiciary Committee September 10, 2013

Good afternoon members of the committee, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for having me today. My name is John Urquhart, and I am the Sheriff of King County, WA.

Seattle is located in King County, and with almost 2 million residents, we are the 14th largest county by population in the United States. I have over 1000 employees in the Sheriff’s Office and a budget exceeding $160 million.

As Sheriff, I am therefore the top law enforcement official in the largest jurisdiction in the country that has legalized marijuana.

I have been a police officer for 37 years, and I was elected as King County’s Sheriff last year. During my career I’ve investigated everything from shoplifts to homicides. But I’ve also spent 12 years as a narcotics detective. My experience shows the War on Drugs has been a failure. We have not significantly reduced demand over time, but we have incarcerated generations of individuals, the highest incarceration rate in the world.

So the citizens of the state of Washington decided it was time to try something new. In November of 2012 they passed Initiative 502, which legalized recreational amounts of marijuana and at the same time created very strict rules and laws.

I was a strong supporter of Initiative 502 last year, and I remain a strong supporter today. There are several reasons for that support. Most of all, I support 502 because that’s what the people want. They voted for legalized marijuana. We — the government — have failed the people and now they want to try something else. Too often the attitude of the police is “We’re the cops and you’re not. Don’t tell us how to do our job.”  That is the wrong attitude and I refuse to fall into that trap.

While the title of this hearing is "conflict between state and federal marijuana laws,"  I don’t see a huge conflict.

The reality is we do have complementary goals and values. We all agree we don’t want our children using marijuana. We all agree we don’t want impaired drivers. We all agree we don’t want to continue enriching criminals. Washington’s law honors these values by separating consumers from gangs, and diverting the proceeds from the sale of marijuana toward furthering the goals of public safety.

Is legalizing and regulating the possession and sale of marijuana a better alternative? I think it is, and I’m willing to be proven wrong. But the only way we’ll know is if we are allowed to try.

DOJ’s recent decision provides clarity on how we in Washington can continue to collaborate with the federal government to enforce our drug laws while at the same time respecting the will of the voters.

It’s a great interim step, but more needs to be done.

For example, we are still limited by not knowing the role of banking institutions as we go forward.

Under federal law, it is illegal for banks to open checking, savings, or credit card accounts for marijuana businesses.  The result is that marijuana stores will be operated as cash-only businesses, creating two big problems for us: (1) Cash-only businesses are prime targets for armed robberies; and (2) cash-only businesses are very difficult to audit, leading to possible tax evasion, wage theft, and the diversion of resources we need to protect public safety.

I am simply asking that the Federal government allow banks to work with legitimate marijuana businesses who are licensed under state law.

In closing let me make one thing absolutely clear. What we have in Washington State is not the Wild Wild West. And as Sheriff, I am committed to continued collaboration with the DEA, FBI, and DOJ for robust enforcement of our respective drug laws. For example, I have detectives right now assigned to Federal task forces, including a DEA HIDTA Task Force. It’s been a great partnership for many years and that partnership will continue.

Furthermore the message to my deputies has been very clear: You will enforce our new marijuana laws. You will write someone a ticket for smoking in public. You will enforce age limits. You will put unlicensed stores out of business. In other words, the King County Sheriff’s Office will abide by the standards and laws voted on and adopted by the citizens of the state of Washington, and the guidance provided by the Department of Justice on August 29th.

Mr. Chairman, I say to you and the members of this committee, I do appreciate the deference the federal government has shown to my constituents, and I look forward to continuing that cooperation. Thank you.


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“Mr. Urquhart Goes to Washington”

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Sheriff John Urquhart
King County Sheriff John Urquhart will appear in Washington, D.C. next week before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee at its hearing titled “Conflicts between State and Federal Marijuana Laws.”

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) announced the hearing months after Washington and Colorado legalized small amounts of marijuana for personal use, and only days before the Department of Justice revealed that it will not intervene in the states’ implementation of their respective laws.

“I supported I-502 last year because as a former narcotics detective, I can say with full confidence that the War on Drugs as been a failure,” said Sheriff John Urquhart. “There has to be a better way.  And as far as marijuana is concerned, the citizens of Washington have decided legalization for personal use appears to be that ‘better way’. Law enforcement needs to respect their decision.”

As Sheriff of King County, Urquhart is the top law enforcement official in the nation’s largest local jurisdiction with legalized recreational marijuana. His testimony will focus on public safety priorities during and after the implementation of I-502. In addition he will speak to issues not addressed by the DOJ decision, such as incongruous banking laws which will make legal marijuana sales a cash-only business.

In addition to Sheriff Urquhart, Deputy Attorney General James Cole from the Department of Justice, and Jack Finlaw, Chief Legal Counsel to Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper will appear before the committee. 


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King County Executive on Federal Government decision to allow Marijuana Legalization

Thursday, August 29, 2013


King County Executive Dow Constantine issued the following statement on today’s announcement by the Justice Department that the United States government will not seek to stop Washington from implementing I-502: 

“I am proud of Washington State for leading the way on national policy. We will regulate the production and sale of adult use marijuana in a way that reduces harm, protects youth, and profits legitimate, law-abiding, tax-paying businesses rather than criminals. 
Prohibition has clearly failed and, thanks to this decision by the federal government, we can now develop policies that respect the will of the people and work better for our communities.”

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Statement from State Superintendent Randy Dorn on Marijuana

Wednesday, December 12, 2012


From the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Recent anecdotal reports from school districts suggest an increase in marijuana possession and consumption among young people, especially after the passage of Initiative 502, which legalizes small quantities of the drug for people age 21 and older. Below is a statement from State Superintendent Randy Dorn on what the law means to public schools.

The passage of I-502 changes nothing in public schools in Washington state. Certain drugs, including marijuana, continue to be illegal on school property and to anyone younger than 21 years old. 
To receive federal funds, districts must abide by the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and must have a Drug and Tobacco-Free Workplace and a similar student policy in place. Each district’s policy has a number of common requirements about marijuana and other drugs, such as not allowing any student to possess, distribute, manufacture, or be under the influence. 
Any student caught will be disciplined according to local district policy and local law enforcement as required. Fines can also be doubled if the arrest occurs within 1,000 feet of a school facility. 
I-502 changes state law but has no effect on federal law. 
Some people think that a medical marijuana card is similar to a prescription for a controlled substance and can be brought to schools or the workplace. That is false. Having a medical marijuana card does not mean a student, or an employee, or anyone for that matter, can bring marijuana on school grounds. 
Students need to be engaged and prepared for school. Marijuana doesn’t allow them to be either of those things. Marijuana dulls the brain. It can lead to paranoia, short-term memory loss and depression 
And for those under 21, it is illegal.


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