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Medical Marijuana: Washington State Sets Supply Limits

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #555)
Drug War Issues

Ending a contentious, year-long argument over what constitutes a 60-day supply of medical marijuana, the Washington state Department of Health last week issued new regulations setting the limit at 24 ounces of smokeable marijuana and 15 plants, no matter what size. The new standard comes a decade after Washington voters okayed the use of medical marijuana in 1998.

California medical marijuana bags (courtesy Daniel Argo via Wikimedia)
While the 1998 law specified that patients could have a 60-day supply, the law never specified just what that meant. As a result, some patients ended up being arrested and tried by prosecutors unfriendly to the law or intent on making sure it was not being used as a cover for marijuana manufacture and distribution. Some patients have even been convicted despite having physician recommendations.

Last year, the state legislature voted to order the Health Department to come up with reasonable quantities. After consulting with law enforcement, patients, medical personnel, and others, the department came up with a draft proposal calling for 24 ounces, six mature plants, and 18 seedlings, but that was lambasted by patients and advocates at an August hearing as insufficient for some patients.

The only differences between the draft and the final regulations were the move to allow 15 plants regardless of maturity, a move the department said would result in patients being able to harvest more, and the dropping of the requirement that patients get a doctor's note if they need more than the 60-day supply set by the department.

"We took a lot of public comment, listened to what people told us, and then made several changes after considering those comments," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "The final rule is simpler and gives patients and caregivers more flexibility in growing plants. Many patients said they didn't like the distinction in the draft rule between mature and immature plants. We believe the patients and their caregivers are in the best position to decide that."

Although not everyone in the Washington medical marijuana community is pleased with the new quantity regulations, they are in line with those of neighboring Oregon and exceed those of some California counties.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

That's like 3 ounces a week! OF GOOD STUFF! Man....

Sat, 10/11/2008 - 12:32am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

The feds are still busting dispensaries in CA. 12 or 14 years after passsage of medical herb!

Sat, 10/11/2008 - 1:55am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I wonder why the program settled on an amount of medicine decided by politics rather than science. The decision on an amount that was in line with amounts of smokable cannabis allowed by the federal governments marijuana prescriptions (that patients are still recieving marijuana to this day from) of 8.24 grams a day is a wise choice but they failed to take into consideration that it takes between 3-5 times that amount to attain the same effect from eating cannabis foods, which we would think must be better for sick people. go to: www.pubmedcentral.com and search for "dosing medical marijuana" to see a scientific study done on the matter.

Also one would hope that Oregon will take a lesson from Washington and lift the crazy 12 inch seedling rule that the OMMP has in place for the 18 "seedlings" allowed. Too bad Oregon Norml doesn't take some initiative to rally patients voices to get patients to attend the quarterly ACMM meetings to help get things changed.

Mon, 10/13/2008 - 5:25pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

These idiots dont consider that you can grow up to 2 pounds per plant per cycle all depends on how you do it. Its not plant numbers that matter but how long you vegg the plant and how many lights are on the plant including ventilation fertilizers tempature humidity etc. If you use a 1000 watt light the best growers will get one gram per watt. thats 1000 grams / 28 = which is 35 ounces per month. or a little over 2 pounds per month for 1 High pressure sodium light.

Now if I have 100 plants and 1 light and you are a excellent grower you will get that amount. If I have 10 plants and I use the same amount of light I will get the same amount. Now lets take 10 1000 watt lights and put them over 10 plants thats below the limit by 5. I can get 10,000 grams per month with only 10 PLANTS. That 2 pounds turns into 22 pounds per month and Im still within limits. You could also take 1000 plants and put them under a light bulb and you would only get maby 12 grams.

Also there failing to take into account the growing cycle. You need 15 plans to be in vegatative state to keep a rotaing crop. If you didnt when your 15 plants were done you would have to wait 2 to 3 months to start growing your crop again.

So a patient would be out of medicine for that period.

You can visit my blog on medical marijuana at WWW.SellitForFree.com

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 8:10pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

So, a person can have 15 plants per prescription. Lets say there are three people living together and they all have prescriptions for marijuana. Can they all have 15 plants each or is it that there can only be 15 plants per parcell? Where can you find your information about the laws and regulations?

Mon, 11/17/2008 - 10:17pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Your article was very informative, i plan to become a grower someday,

This " Gift from the God's " my personal use, has had the most positive
effect on my health.

Also, having the knowledge to become/,remain legal. Such information
is vital to any " Grower. "

Regards
R.N.S. .

Wed, 12/03/2008 - 6:28am Permalink

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