House Bill 1449, which would legalize the personal cultivation of marijuana in Washington State, has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Consumer Protection & Business Committee on January 28 at 1:30 PM.
The bill, filed by a group of 16 state representatives, would allow those 21 and older to grow up to six cannabis plants at their housing unit, with a maximum of 15 plants allowed per household. 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.
Under the proposed law, cannabis plants visible from public spaces or neighboring properties, or with odors detectable outside the home, would result in a Class 3 civil infraction. Exceeding the household limit of 15 plants would carry harsher penalties, with possession of 16 or more plants classified as a Class C felony.
While law enforcement would handle enforcement of these limits, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board would not oversee home cultivation under the proposed measure.
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.
