Pubdate: Tue, 12 Apr 2011
Source: Seattle Times (WA)
Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times Company
Contact:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409
Author: Jonathan Martin, Seattle Times staff reporter
Referenced: SB 5073 
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5073&year11
Bookmark: http://www.drugsense.org/cms/geoview/n-us-wa (Washington)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

STATE HOUSE PASSES MEDICAL-MARIJUANA REFORM

A comprehensive reform of the state's medical marijuana law passed 
the state House Monday afternoon, making it increasingly likely that 
the state would for the first time legalize dispensaries and growers 
while providing patients with new protections from arrest and prosecution.

A comprehensive reform of the state's medical marijuana law passed 
the state House Monday afternoon, making it increasingly likely that 
the state would for the first time legalize dispensaries and growers 
while providing patients with new protections from arrest and prosecution.

The bill, SB 5073, now goes back to the Senate, which passed a 
slightly different version in March. At an afternoon news conference 
before the House voted 54-43 to pass the bill, Gov. Chris Gregoire 
said, "At this point, I have concerns about it."

During vigorous debate, the House, passed an amendment requiring 
legal patients to sign up for a new state-run registry to qualify for 
pre-emptive protection from arrest, search or prosecution. Mandatory 
registries are in place in other states, including Oregon, but 
advocates in Washington fear the registry could be abused by law enforcement.

Republicans sought to chip away at the bill with failed amendments, 
including 1,000-foot buffer zones from schools and banning qualified 
patients from growing marijuana themselves.

Sales and business taxes would apply to dispensaries, growers and 
processors, producing an estimated $700,000 in revenues next year.

The bill is the biggest rewrite of the medical marijuana law since a 
1998 voter-approved initiative, and answers many questions that 
lingered since then. Dispensaries, which currently operate in a legal 
gray area, would be licensed and regulated by the Department of 
Health under rules still to be written, and the Department of 
Agriculture would license and inspect commercial marijuana grow farms 
and food processors.

As part of amendments adopted on the house floor, one dispensary 
would be allowed for every 20,000 residents, meaning at least 93 
would be allowed in King County.

The bill's champion, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, said it 
would expand access for patients while providing a "bright line" for 
law enforcement. If differences can be worked out with the Senate, 
"It'll be the strongest medical marijuana protection in the country," 
she said.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake