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

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Yakima County?

Yes, cultivation is legal in Yakima County but only for homegrown medical cannabis. Despite the fact that the State of Washington passed Initiative 692 and Initiative 502, which legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2012 and medicinal use in 1998, only those with medical cannabis authorization are allowed to grow medical cannabis at home. According to Initiative 502, the state strongly opposes the growing of cannabis for recreational use.

Aside from home growing by qualified patients, marijuana producers are authorized by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) to cultivate and distribute wholesale medical cannabis to cannabis processors and other cannabis manufacturers.

According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 69.51A.260, authorized qualifying patients may grow a maximum of four cannabis plants. Qualified patients who possess a recognition card and are listed in the Medical Cannabis Authorization Database may also cultivate four to fifteen plants upon their doctor's advice. Plants may only be grown indoors, away from the general public, and on the property of a certified patient. It is prohibited to cultivate outdoors.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Yakima County?

Yes. In the State of Washington, including Yakima County, marijuana processors are required to get a license from the WSLCB. Marijuana can be processed, dried, cured, packaged, and labeled at their facilities. Additionally, they may manufacture and supply wholesale cannabis processors and retailers with cannabis extracts and cannabis-infused products. Cannabis businesses must be at least 1,000 feet away from elementary or secondary schools, playgrounds, childcare facilities, leisure centers, public parks, public transportation hubs, libraries, and game arcades with open access to those 21 or older.

Applicants seeking cannabis licenses must have resided in Washington State for at least 6 months before filing their application. Cannabis license applicants must meet the requirements of the board, including:

• A background investigation

• A review of the proposed company site

• Inquiry

• Proof of residence in Washington State

All applicants, licensees, and employees in any licensed business must be at least 21 years old. No one under the age of 21 may enter or remain on licensed premises, with the exception of qualifying patients between the ages of 18 and 21 who possess a recognition card.

Before a cannabis processor licensee may sell cannabis-infused items to a cannabis retailer, the board must first approve the labeling and packaging. The board must accept the cannabis processor licensee's submitted product labeling, packaging, and image. Furthermore, all cannabis edible product recipes must be approved by the Department of Agriculture before they may be utilized in production.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Yakima County?

Yes. Retail cannabis sales for both medicinal and recreational use are legal in Yakima County. The Washington State Department of Health provides eligible patients access to medical marijuana. It is allowed in the state to sell flowers, pre-rolls, tinctures, topicals, cannabidiol, edibles, vaporizers, concentrates, and accessories.

People who are 21 years old and older may legally buy the following:

• Marijuana concentrates weighing 7 grams

• Liquid marijuana weighing 72 ounces

• 16 ounces of edibles

• 1 oz. usable marijuana

Persons under the age of 21 are prohibited from working for authorized cannabis retailers pursuant to RCW 69.50.357. Employees of the licensed retailers shall be trained on how to allow qualified patients with recognition cards who are between 18 and 21 years old to enter the store and purchase cannabis for personal use, as well as how to allow qualified patients below 18 years old with recognition cards to access the store with their designated caregivers. Additionally, it's against the law for authorized stores to display cannabis in public.

The WSLCB initially put the total number of retail businesses at 334 across the entire State, taking into consideration population growth, safety issues, and the need to eliminate illicit markets. However, as of December 2022, there are 556 retail establishments, four of which are located in Yakima County.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Yakima County?

No. Although it is legal to use cannabis in Yakima County, deliveries are not permitted. Initiative 502 prohibits the delivery of marijuana in any manner, shape, or form, even to the homes of medical marijuana cardholders.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Yakima County

The Washington State Department of Health issues and distributes the medical marijuana recognition card. Patients with valid authorization forms from their healthcare providers are permitted to register in the medical marijuana authorization database and get recognition cards.

To get the authorization forms, the patient must have one of the following medical conditions:

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

• Traumatic brain injury

• Posttraumatic stress disorder

• Hemodialysis is necessary due to chronic renal failure

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

Send your permission form to a certified medical marijuana consultant with an active Department of Health credential if you want to get a medical marijuana card in Yakima County. The DOH-certified consultant will take your picture, input your data in the authorization database, and produce a new medical marijuana recognition card. Once the card has been generated, pay your medical consultant $1.

You may get additional details about getting a medical marijuana card in Yakima County by contacting:

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 Yakima County?

The economic impact of legalizing marijuana in Washington is substantial and growing. According to research by Washington State University, the Washington cannabis business has supported around 18,700 full-time jobs since Initiative 502 was approved and contributed $1.85 billion to the State's economy. Between 2015 and 2020, retail cannabis sales in Washington surged by 605%. In Yakima County, sales of retail cannabis climbed from $2,808.90 in 2015 to $28,803.35 in 2020.

Additionally, the excise taxes on cannabis in Washington have increased dramatically by 623%, from only $64.9 million in 2015 to an astounding $468.5 million in 2020.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Yakima County

According to the FBI crime database, DUI cases in Yakima County Sheriff's Office from 2012 to 2013 have equal arrests, from 86 to 86 cases, respectively. On the other hand, arrests of marijuana possession during the same period have decreased from 9 to 2 cases, respectively.

While recreational marijuana use in Yakima County was legalized in 2012, medicinal marijuana use became legal in 1998.