Stacey T. runs the Ballard Herbal Collective in Seattle. Open since November, he hands out medical marijuana to people who have a medical note, free of charge. He admits that while being one of the first storefronts in Seattle, his neighbors do not like him there. In fact, his landlord has asked him to move Medical marijuana legislation under review | KING5.com | Seattle News and Video
Stacey is not alone. There are medical marijuana dispensaries opening up all over the state. It is estimated that there are at least 120 dispensaries currently doing business, many more operating underground. These dispensaries are relying on a loophole in the law that does not specifically prohibit them, but it does not allow them either.
In order to clear up the many ambiguities in the current medical marijuana law, the Legislature is considering an amendment to the existing marijuana legislation. The bill, called 5073 would serve to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana dispensaries. It would also allow the legal operation of marijuana farms. Local News | Pot dispensaries sprouting statewide | Seattle Times Newspaper
These changes will seek to clean up the law, providing more clarity to both patients and law enforcement. As the law stands now, it provides a defendant an affirmative defense in court. However, the current law does not protect them from arrest in the first place. These changes would bring arrest protection to medical marijuana patients and clearer guidelines for use of marijuana.
If the law were amended, the changes would require up to 250 dispensaries to register within their first year of operation. By 2017, there would be an estimated 1,000 dispensaries. This requirement would help the state have some control over what has become a retail business, rather than a non-profit collective as is has been in years past. Clarity in the law will help define the rules that these new businesses are to operate under, which up until now has been within a grey area of the law.
The City of Seattle supports these amendments, because they want the ability to zone and regulate the medical marijuana dispensaries.