Bremerton medical marijuana patients who hoped to open a non-profit dispensary on Callow Avenue this month have postponed their plans, awaiting the outcome of state legislation that could clarify the rules for such an operation.

Meanwhile, the Bremerton city attorney has reported increased interest in operating medical marijuana dispensaries in the city and has denied two business license applications in the past couple weeks. Currently, medical marijuana's legality is complicated.

Voters in Washington state approved the legalization of medical marijuana in 1998 by a margin of almost 60 percent, with Kitsap voters approving the measure by the same margin. However, being an approved medical marijuana patient does not provide arrest protections - it only provides a defense in court. Patients can grow marijuana for themselves, but cannot legally buy seeds or plants. Federal law still prohibits the possession and sale of marijuana, however, in 2009 U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder directed federal prosecutors to back away from pursuing cases against medical marijuana dispensaries that operate within state law.

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Non-Profit Medical Marijuana Dispensary Hopes To Open Shop On Callow Avenue By March

When Archie Lee and a handful of family members decided to start a medical marijuana dispensary in Bremerton, they knew it wouldn't be easy.

Herbal Healing, which Lee co-owns with four others, is currently operating a delivery service serving medical marijuana patients, but it is in the process of finding a building for the organization. The store will likely be on Callow Avenue, but it's a difficult venture. Given the conflicting state and federal laws on the possession of medical marijuana, there are no laws that dictate how a dispensary in Bremerton should operate.

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