Title:
WA: House passes comprehensive medical marijuana reform
Message:
Yesterday,
April 11, the Washington
House of Representatives passed SB 5073, 54
– 43. The bipartisan vote sends the bill — which would protect medical
marijuana patients from arrest and allow dispensaries — back to the
Senate, where differences between the two versions must be ironed out before it
is sent to the governor for approval.
SB
5073 would clearly and unambiguously allow for state-regulated medical
marijuana dispensaries. While some dispensaries are already operating, clarity
in Washington’s law would help protect dispensary operators from costly
litigation and
possible convictions. In addition, if signed into law, SB 5073 would protect
registered patients from arrest. Currently,
no patients are protected from arrest.
MPP would like
to thank the ACLU of Washington for all of their hard work and leadership on
this effort. In addition, thank you for reaching out to your elected
representatives and advocating for sensible and necessary medical marijuana
reform.
This bill is
not law yet. It still must be reconciled with the Senate version, and the governor
must sign off on it, so please keep an eye on your inbox for future updates.
