In Seattle, as in other parts of the country like California, there seems to be a noticeable upsurge in the amount of marijuana dispensaries being opened. Smoking marijuana has certainly come a long way from being a clandestine, criminal activity. Entrepreneurs and marijuana activists are boldly blazing the trail, and slowly but surely the taboo nature of the drug is dissipating. Marijuana dispensaries are operating within a grey area of the law, and thus far, they have gone unchallenged by law enforcement.
Marijuana dispensaries have been around for a long time, but there is a distinct change in the attitude of these establishments. The perception was that they were discreetly marked, perhaps even back-alley establishments to what is now appearing like a perfectly acceptable part of society. One interesting development is the bold advertising. Ads for medical marijuana dispensaries on the internet and glossy magazine ads advertise specials on certain varieties of marijuana, baked goods (“medibles”) and yes, even door-to-door delivery.
Marijuana dispensaries are not legal in Washington. The current Washington marijuana law will provide you a defense in court, but will not prevent you from being arrested in the first place. According to Washington law, it is legal for a card carrying medical marijuana user to possess 15 plants and 24 ounces of marijuana. However, the law is curiously vague as to where these individuals are supposed to obtain there marijuana. A patient can designate a single person as a supplier, but there is no mention made whatsoever about dispensaries.
Phillip Dawdy for the National Cannibis Association says, “as long as cooperatives are acting in a reasonably professional manner, you’re not seeing law enforcement coming after them.” Our Growing Industry by Dominic Holden – News – The Stranger, Seattle’s Only Newspaper
This disparity may all change in January however. Senator Jeanne Kohl Wells will be introducing a bill that addresses this issue. The bill will allow for dispensaries and co-ops to operate, and will provide protections against medical marijuana users being arrested. She believes that her bill has a chance, because key law enforcement is backing her. King’s County prosecutor Dan Satterberg supports the bill stating, “I think it would be better to have them licensed and regulated.”