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Home > State By State Laws > Washington

Washington

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State Penalties PDF mandatory medical

Incarceration

Fine
Possession
Less than 40 g misdemeanor* MMS 1 Day - maximum 90 days $250-
$500
40 g or more felony 5 years maximum $10,000
Sale or Cultivation
Less than 40 g felony 0 - 6 months $10,000
40 g or more felony 5 years maximum $10,000
Sale to minor at least 3 years younger than seller felony
double penalty
double penalty
Miscellaneous (paraphernalia, license suspensions, drug tax stamps, etc...)
Dirty paraphernalia possession, manufacture or delivery misdemeanor* 90 days $1,000
*Any convictions of a misdemeanor carry a 24-hour mandatory minimum sentence and a mandatory minimum fine of $250.
For subsequent convictions the possible prison sentence doubles.
Any conviction of a juvenile causes driver's license suspension for 1 year.
Details

Possession of less than 40 grams is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. For amounts of 40 grams or more the penalties increase to up to five years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Cultivation, delivery or sale of marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Any sale to a minor at least three years younger than the offender doubles the possible penalties.

It is an affirmative defense to violations of marijuana-related laws that the person, possessing no more than is necessary for personal medical use for up to sixty days, has valid documentation and meets all criteria as a qualifying patient or as a primary caregiver.

Possession, manufacture or delivery of paraphernalia is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

Any convictions of a misdemeanor carry a 24-hour mandatory minimum jail sentence and a mandatory minimum fine of $250.

For any subsequent convictions the possible prison sentence doubles.

For drug offense convictions of juveniles, the offender's driver's license is suspended for one year.

Mandatory minimum sentence: When someone is convicted of an offense punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence, the judge must sentence the defendant to the mandatory minimum sentence or to a higher sentence. The judge has no power to sentence the defendant to less time than the mandatory minimum. A prisoner serving an MMS for a federal offense and for most state offenses will not be eligible for parole. Even peaceful marijuana smokers sentenced to "life MMS" must serve a life sentence with no chance of parole.

Medical marijuana: This state has medical marijuana laws enacted. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant and emerging research suggests that marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors, and are neuroprotective. For more information see NORML's Medical Marijuana section.

Also see Federal Laws

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