Legislation to legalize the personal cultivation of marijuana in Washington State has received committee approval for the first time ever.
House Bill 1449, filed by a group of 16 state representatives in January, has been given approval by the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee, by a vote of 9 to 6. Although a similar measure has been introduced for years, this is the first time in state history that a bill to legalize personal marijuana cultivation has received committee approval. The measure now moves towards a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Under the proposed law, those 21 and older would be allowed grow up to six cannabis plants at a private residence, with up to 15 allowed per household if more than one adult lives there. Although the current possession limit for cannabis in Washington is one ounce, HB 1449 would allow those who grow marijuana to possess whatever is harvested from those plants.
The measure would continue to prohibit cannabis plants visible from public spaces or neighboring properties, or with odors detectable outside the home, although the penalty would be a civil infraction and not a criminal offense. Exceeding the personal limit of six plants, or the household limit of 15 plants, would remain a Class C felony, although the committee approved an amendment to establish a warning for someone’s first offense of growing above the legal limit. In addition, the committee approved an amendment to require those who grow cannabis to obtain renter’s insurance, and to require the Liquor and Cannabis Board to establish a system for tracking marijuana cultivation.
Currently, personal marijuana cultivation remains a felony in Washington, punishable by up to five years in prison. Among the 23 states with legalized recreational marijuana, only two others maintain similar prohibitions.
