In January, Washington State legislators will weigh again whether to legalize marijuana home growing. This will extend the debate that has dragged for ages in the legislature.
A bipartisan reform launched last week would allow 21 or older adults to cultivate not more than 6 marijuana crops for their consumption. This bill is similar to regulations in the nearby Oregon, California and almost every other county that has authorized cannabis.
It’s not clear whether the new reform will be implemented, however, its sponsor stated that she will seek a vote within the commission she chairs. Washington legislators have submitted homegrow proposals since 2015, however, their enactment has been to no avail. None has acquired a complete floor vote.
The recent reform, HB 1019, tabled by Representative Kloba Shelley and MacEwen Drew last week is almost similar to 2019’s regulation, which was a relaunch of a stagnant bill. Earlier years experienced different efforts that withered off.
Representative Blake Brian who formerly championed the homegrow effort, no longer occupies the office. Kloba said that with Blake’s departure from the legislature during January, she didn’t want his efforts to be futile.
The bill would legalize marijuana homegrow for 21 and older adults, but not a single house will be allowed to cultivate more than fifteen plants. The crops would have to be marked clearly with the farmer’s address, grower’s name, birth date and planting location. Farmers won’t have to acquire any license or register with any federal department.
According to the new reform, Landlords would forbid lessees or tenants from cultivating the crop within their property. All crops have to be hidden from ordinary public sight, which implies out of the view of adjacent properties, sidewalks and public streets.
After harvesting, home-cultivated cannabis has to be marked with the farmer’s name, D.O.B, address and harvesting and planting dates. Vessels with not more than an ounce of MJ would be exempted from labelling requirements.
