Earlier this week, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board announced that it has plans to “‘re-evaluate' all edible marijuana products in an effort to cut back on products that may be appealing to children.” Washington, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, has made it a practice to bar edible marijuana products that are especially appealing to children. Even so, the Liquor and Cannabis Board has continued to receive public complaints that some of the edibles currently sold in the state's licensed pot shops are still too enticing to children and should be removed. The Board looked into the complaints and determined that the complaints are valid and will, therefore, re-evaluate the edible marijuana candies currently being sold.

Recreational Marijuana in Washington State

In general, Washington law says that it is “unlawful for any person to possess a controlled substance unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription,” or in the case of marijuana, unless the substance is purchased from a state-licensed marijuana retailer. Even then, the law subscribes the following.

• “Delivery, distribution, and sale, on the premises of the retail outlet, of any combination of the following amounts of marijuana concentrates, useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused product to any person twenty-one years of age or older:
  • One ounce of usable marijuana;
  • Sixteen ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form;
  • Seventy-two ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form; or
  • Seven grams of marijuana concentrate.”

Defining the different categories of Recreational Marijuana Products

The law states that a person 21 or older may purchase “useable marijuana, or marijuana-infused product,” from a licensed retail outlet. But, what does that mean?

• “'Useable marijuana' means dried marijuana flowers. The term ‘useable marijuana' does not include either marijuana-infused products or marijuana concentrates.”
• “‘Marijuana-infused products' means products that contain marijuana or marijuana extracts, are intended for human use, are derived from marijuana as defined in subsection (x) of this section, and have a THC concentration no greater than ten percent. The term "marijuana-infused products" does not include either useable marijuana or marijuana concentrates.”
• “‘Marijuana concentrates' means products consisting wholly or in part of the resin extracted from any part of the plant Cannabis and having a THC concentration greater than ten percent.

Keep in mind, after you make your legal purchase of recreational marijuana, you are not free to use the marijuana products where you want. In the state of Washington,

• “It is unlawful to open a package containing marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or marijuana concentrates, or consume marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or marijuana concentrates, in view of the general public or in a public place.”

Contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi

An individual in illegal possession of any controlled substance, including marijuana, may potentially be charged with a class C felony. The charges can certainly be more or less serious depending on the specific circumstances with each individual case, and for that reason, it is imperative that you have skilled legal representation.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for the illegal possession of recreational marijuana products the Law Offices of Steve Karimi can help. Attorney Steve Karimi has been named a rising star by Washington Law & Politics magazine and is a top-rated criminal defense lawyer in the Seattle area. Contact his office today.