HB 2559 would allow non-medical home cultivation of marijuana in Washington state

By Michael Bachara

Hemp News

On Monday, January 15, the Washington state legislature will discuss the adult home grow bill, HB 2559, in the Commerce and Gaming Committee. The hearing, which is scheduled to be in House Hearing Rm C at 1:30pm in the John L. O'Brien Building in Olympia, WA, is sure to bring cannabis advocates from across the state to the Capitol.

Don Skakie, a vocal proponent of HB 2559 said, "If passed in its present form, WA adults 21 years and older will be able to grow six plants per residence and possess two pounds of the produce of those plants without tax, fee, license, permit or registry."

"The WA state commercial scheme has been a win for business in the form of profits and government in the form of tax revenue. Providing for home grow in the style proposed in 2559 would be a win for the people in the form of the ability to provide for themselves without risk of pesticides or other substances common in regulated products," Skakie added.

Longtime cannabis advocate, Vivian McPeak, said of the bill, "State home alcohol production models show that legal home grow of cannabis should not have a negative impact on retail sales, youth use, or diversion. HB 2559 will grant Washingtonians the same right to personal home cultivation that the citizens of every other legal state currently enjoy and allow medical patients the discretion and access they require to obtain the very best medical cannabis."

In November 2012, Washington state residents passed I-502. The measure which regulated adult cannabis sales, did not include a home-grow provision.

If you live in Washington state, please take the time to comment on HB 2559, the bill allowing non-medical home cultivation of cannabis.

How to submit written testimony

If you are unable to attend a committee meeting and don't want to submit a public comment online, you may email your written testimony directly to all committee members as well as to the Committee Chair or the Chair's Vice. Be sure to include the bill number, HB 2559, and your position on the bill.

Sawyer, David (D) Chair

Kloba, Shelley (D) Vice Chair

Condotta, Cary (R) Ranking Minority Member

Vick, Brandon (R) Asst Ranking Minority Member

Blake, Brian (D)

Jenkin, Bill (R)

Kirby, Steve (D)

Ryu, Cindy (D)

Young, Jesse (R)

What:

HB 2559 Hearing

Where:

Commerce and Gaming Committee

House Hearing Rm C

John L. O'Brien Building

504 15th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501

When:

Mon, Jan 15, 2018, 1:30pm

Public Hearing Agenda:

HB 2227 - Concerning the laboratory testing of marijuana products.

HB 2471 - Preempting local government regulation of medical marijuana cooperatives.

HB 2472 - Ensuring reasonable terms of payment are available to marijuana retailers when contracting with marijuana processors for the purchase of marijuana products.

HB 2474 - Modifying marijuana product labeling requirements.

HB 2559 - Allowing non-medical home cultivation of marijuana.

HB 2574 - Permitting marijuana delivery to medical marijuana patients.