Legislation to allow personal marijuana cultivation in Washington State is moving forward, with a key public hearing scheduled for February 25 at 1:30 p.m. in the House Appropriations Committee.
Approval through this committee would clear the way for a full vote in the House of Representatives.
House Bill 1449, introduced by 16 state representatives in January, received approval from the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee on Friday in a 9 to 5 vote. This marks the first time in state history that a measure to legalize personal marijuana cultivation has advanced past the committee stage.
The bill would allow those 21 and older to grow up to six marijuana plants at home, with a household limit of 15 plants if multiple adults reside at the same address. Those growing marijuana would be allowed to possess whatever cannabis is harvested from it, even if it’s above the current one ounce possession limit.
The measure includes restrictions to prevent plants from being visible from public spaces or neighboring properties and requires that odors not be detectable outside the home. Violations would result in a civil infraction rather than a criminal penalty. However, growing beyond the legal plant limits would remain a Class C felony. An amendment approved by the committee establishes a warning for first-time offenders exceeding the legal plant count. Additional amendments require renters who cultivate marijuana to obtain renter’s insurance and direct the Liquor and Cannabis Board to create a system for tracking home cultivation.
Currently, Washington remains one of just three states with legal recreational marijuana that still criminalizes home cultivation.
