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Washington State
Do I have to register with or obtain a card from the state?
The clinic I went to says I have to purchase a card or permit from them. Is this true?
What type of health care providers can recommend marijuana for qualifying conditions?
Can a health care provider from another state recommend marijuana for me?
Can I get a list of providers in my area that will recommend marijuana?
What is a valid written recommendation?
Does my written recommendation expire?
Is my recommendation still valid if it was written before June 10, 2010?
Is my recommendation considered a prescription if it is written on tamper-resistant paper?
How do I get medical marijuana? Can I buy it?
Are dispensaries legal?
How much medical marijuana can I have?
How do I become a designated provider?
Can I be a patient and a designated provider?
Why are bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety not included in the list of qualifying conditions?
How do I request to add a condition to the list of qualifying conditions?
Am I protected if I travel to other states with my recommendation?
I have questions that the Department of Health cannot answer. For example:
Do I have to register with or obtain a card from the state?
No. If you are a qualifying patient with a written recommendation from your health care provider, that is all you need.
The clinic I went to says I have to purchase a card or permit from them. Is this true?
No. There are groups or clinics in Washington that may charge a fee for
you to see a doctor, but you are not required to visit a certain clinic
or join an organization to get a
RCW 69.51a recommendation from a health care provider.
What type of health care providers can recommend for qualifying conditions?
The following providers may recommend marijuana:
- · medical doctors (MDs)
- · physician assistants (PAs)
- · osteopathic physicians (DOs)
- · osteopathic physician assistants (OA)
- · naturopathic physicians (ND)
- · advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs)
Can a health care provider from another state recommend for me?
Not unless the provider is also licensed in Washington. The law says the health care provider must be licensed in Washington.
Can I get a list of providers in my area that will recommend?
The Department of Health does not have this information.
What is a valid written recommendation?
Beginning June 10, 2010, a recommendation must be written on tamper-resistant paper. It must also include an original signature by the health care provider, a date, and a statement that says in the health care provider's professional opinion the patient may benefit from the medical use of marijuana. The 2010 law change also prohibits the use of a copy of the patient's medical records in lieu of a recommendation.
Does my written recommendation expire?
Your written recommendation only expires if your health care provider has included an expiration date on it. If you change providers, you may want to consider obtaining a new recommendation.
Is my recommendation still valid if it was written before June 10, 2010?
Yes. It is still valid unless your health care provider has included an expiration date.
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Is my recommendation considered a prescription if it is written on tamper-resistant paper?
No. Health care providers cannot write prescriptions
for
RCW 69.51a. They may only write recommendations that a patient
has a medical condition that would benefit from the medical use of
RCW 69.51a.
How do I get medicine; Can I buy it?
The law allows a qualifying patient or designated provider to grow. It is not legal to buy or sell it.
Are dispensaries legal?
No. The law does not allow dispensaries. The law only allows qualifying
patients and designated providers to possess.
How much can I have
in my posession?
A qualifying patient or designated provider may have a 60-day supply. A 60-day supply is defined as 24 ounces and 15 plants (WAC 246-75-010). The law says that a patient may exceed these limits if he or she can prove medical need.
How do I become a designated provider?
A designated provider must be at least 18 years old and must be designated in writing by the qualifying patient. A designated provider can only be a provider for one patient at any one time.
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Can I be a patient and a designated provider?
The law does not say that a patient may or may not also be a designated
provider. It does say that a designated provider may not consume.
Why are bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety not included in the list of qualifying conditions?
The Medical Quality Assurance Commission, in consultation with the Board
of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, has the authority to add qualifying
conditions to the current list. The commission has received petitions to
add these conditions to the list of qualifying conditions. The commission
has denied the requests, citing a lack of scientific evidence supporting
improved health outcomes from the use of
RCW 69.51a for those conditions. You can find the commission's and board's decision on the latest petition in the
Final Order.
How do I request to add a condition to the list of qualifying conditions?
Anyone may petition the commission to add a condition to the list. By law, the commission will consult with the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. For more information about this process, you may contact the commission at:
Medical Quality Assurance Commission
PO Box 47866
Olympia WA 98504-7866
Am I protected if I travel to other states with my recommendation?
Some states may allow you to use your recommendation from Washington when traveling. You must comply with the laws in the other state. Doctor recommendations, ID cards, and other documentation from other states are not legal in Washington.
I have questions that the Department of Health cannot answer. For
example: Can I rent my house to a
RCW 69.51a patient? Do I have rights as a tenant? What about
using around children? Can I be fired from my job if I use? How do I get help finding the answers?
There may be other laws that apply to some situations. We suggest obtaining legal advice if you are not sure what the law says. You may also consult groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Commission. All state laws are on the Washington State Legislative Web page (www.leg.wa.gov).
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