Kitsap County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Kitsap County?

Yes. Although Initiative 692 and Initiative 502 made marijuana use legal for medical use (in 1998) and recreational use (in 2012) in the State of Washington and Kitsap County, only home cultivation of cannabis is permitted for people with medical cannabis authorization. Initiative 502 indicates that the State firmly forbids the cultivation of cannabis for recreational purposes.

Aside from home cultivation by approved qualifying patients, marijuana producers are licensed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) to cultivate and sell wholesale medical cannabis to cannabis processors and other cannabis producers.

Authorized eligible patients may produce a maximum of four cannabis plants in accordance with The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 69.51A.260. Additionally, according to the recommendation of their medical provider, qualified patients who have a recognition card and are registered in the Medical Cannabis Authorization Database may grow four to fifteen plants. Plants may only be grown indoors, away from the public's eye, on the qualified patient's property. Outdoor cultivation is strictly banned.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Kitsap County?

Yes. Marijuana processors in the State of Washington, including Kitsap County, are required to hold a license from the WSLCB. These facilities may process, dry, cure, package, and label marijuana to make it into consumable products. Additionally, they may produce and distribute cannabis extracts and cannabis-infused products to wholesale cannabis processors and retailers. Cannabis operations must be at least 1,000 feet away from any of the following: a primary or secondary school, a playground, a child care facility, a recreation center, a public park, a public transit hub, a library, or a game arcade where access is not restricted to those who are 21 or older.

Before submitting an application for a cannabis license, applicants must have lived in Washington State for at least six months. Applicants for cannabis licenses must fulfill the board's requirements, such as:

1. A background check

2. Inquiry

3. An inspection of the proposed business location

4. A residency check to verify Washington State residency

There is a minimum age requirement of 21 for all applicants, licensees, and workers in each licensed business. Except for eligible patients between 18 to 21 years old who have a recognition card, no one below the age of 21 may visit or remain on licensed premises.

All consumable cannabis-infused products must first receive label and packaging clearance from the board before a cannabis processor licensee offers them for sale to a cannabis retailer. The board must approve the product image, labeling, and packaging that the cannabis processor licensee submitted. Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture must approve all cannabis edible product recipes before they may be used in production.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Kitsap County?

Yes. In Kitsap County, the retail sale of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes is permitted. The Washington State Department of Health allows access to medical marijuana for those with qualifying conditions. The sale of flowers, pre-rolls, vaporizers, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, cannabidiol, edibles, and accessories is legal in the State.

Individuals 21 years of age and older may lawfully purchase:

• 16 ounces of edibles

• 1 oz. useable marijuana

• 7 grams of marijuana concentrates

• 72 ounces of liquid marijuana

According to RCW 69.50.357, persons below the age of 21 are not permitted to work for licensed cannabis retailers. The licensed retailers' employees must also receive training on how to let qualified patients with recognition cards who are between the ages of 18 and 21 visit the store and buy cannabis for their personal use, as well as how to let qualified patients under the age of 18 with recognition cards enter the store if their designated caregivers accompany them. In addition, licensed retailers are prohibited from putting cannabis on public display.

The WSLCB initially set the number of retail establishments at 334 statewide, taking into account population growth, safety concerns, and the need to prevent black markets. However, the number of retail locations was increased to 556. Kitsap County has 13 licensed marijuana retail facilities as of December 2022.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Kitsap County?

No. While it is legal to consume cannabis in Kitsap County, it is not allowed to be delivered. According to Initiative 502, marijuana deliveries, in any way, shape, or form, are not allowed.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Kitsap County

The medical marijuana recognition card is issued and distributed by the Washington State Department of Health. Patients may freely register in the medical marijuana authorization database and obtain recognition cards if they have proper authorization forms from their doctors.

The patient must have any of the following health conditions in order to receive the authorization forms:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Cancer, HIV, MS, and illnesses involving seizures or spasticity

• Posttraumatic stress disorder

• Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis

• Any of the following medical issues that are not alleviated by standard clinical care: glaucoma, Crohn's disease with debilitating symptoms, Hepatitis C with incapacitating nausea or pain, and illnesses like anorexia that cause appetite loss, cramping, nausea, vomiting, wasting, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity

To acquire a medical marijuana card in Kitsap County, submit your authorization form to a licensed medical marijuana consultant with a valid Department of Health credential. The DOH-certified consultant will take your photo, enter your information into the authorization database, and create a new medical marijuana identification card. Pay your medical consultant a $1 fee once the card has been created.

For more information on obtaining a medical marijuana card in Kitsap County, you may contact:

Washington State Department of Health

Tumwater, WA

Phone: 360-236-4501 or

800-525-0127

Email: wadepthealth@doh.wa.gov

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Kitsap County?

Cannabis legalization in Washington has a significant and expanding economic impact. A study by Washington State University found that since Initiative 502 was authorized, the Washington cannabis industry has sustained approximately 18,700 full-time employment and generated $1.85 billion for the State's economy. Retail cannabis sales in Washington increased by 605% between 2015 and 2020. Regarding Kitsap County, its retail cannabis sales totaled $4,936.10 in 2015 and increased to $41,439.06 in 2020.

Moreover, Washington's cannabis excise taxes skyrocketed by 623%, rising from only $64.9 million in 2015 to a staggering $468.5 million in 2020.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Kitsap County

The legalization of marijuana in Washington, notably in Kitsap County, has had minimal impact on crime statistics. Note that while marijuana for recreational use became legal in 2012, medical marijuana use became lawful in 1998.

According to the FBI crime database, DUI cases in Kitsap County Sheriff's Office from 2011 to 2012 and 2013 showed a decrease in arrests, from 228 to 136 and 199, respectively. On the other hand, arrests of marijuana possession from 2011 to 2012 and 2013 have decreased from 89 to 45 and 16, respectively.