Informational only — not legal advice. Cannabis laws change frequently; verify current rules with the official sources linked below before relying on this page.
Last verified: 2026-07-12
Washington Cannabis Laws — Quick Facts
Status
Recreational legal · since 2012 (Initiative 502)
Min. Age
21
Purchase Limit
1 oz (28.3 g) of usable marijuana.
Home Grow
No
1. Status & Authority
Legal Since: 2012 (Initiative 502)
Governing Agency: Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB)
Resident vs. Out-of-State/Visitor: Both residents and visitors aged 21+ may purchase.
Reciprocity: Out-of-state medical cards do not exempt buyers from recreational limits or taxes.
3. Purchase & Possession Limits
Flower: 1 oz (28.3 g) of usable marijuana.
Concentrate: 7 g of marijuana concentrates/extracts.
Edibles (Solid): 16 oz of marijuana-infused product in solid form.
Edibles (Liquid): 72 oz of marijuana-infused product in liquid form.
4. Where & How to Buy
Dispensaries: State-licensed retail stores only.
Delivery & Online: Home delivery of recreational cannabis is strictly prohibited. Online orders may be placed for in-store pickup, but the transaction must occur at the licensed retail location.
Consumption Lounges: Not permitted.
Local Opt-Outs: Some cities and counties have enacted bans or zoning restrictions on retail stores.
5. Taxes & Payment
Excise Tax: 37% retail excise tax (one of the highest in the US).
Sales Tax: Standard state sales tax (6.5%) plus local sales taxes apply.
Payment: Cash or cashless ATMs.
6. Consumption Rules
Permitted Locations: Private residences.
Prohibited Locations: All public places, in view of the general public, and federal property (including national parks and forests).
Vehicles/Open Container: Illegal to consume in a vehicle. Open container laws require cannabis to be in its original unopened packaging or stored in the trunk (or an area inaccessible to the driver and passengers).
Landlord/Employer: Landlords may prohibit smoking on their properties. Employers can maintain drug-free policies, though recent WA laws offer some protections against pre-employment testing for non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites (with many exemptions for safety-sensitive roles).
7. Home Cultivation
Allowed: No
Plant Count Limits: Home cultivation is illegal for recreational (adult-use) consumers. Only registered medical cannabis patients or their designated providers may legally cultivate cannabis at home.
8. Penalties
Over-Limit Possession: Can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the amount.
Public Consumption: Civil infraction / fine.
Sale to Minors: Felony.
DUI Thresholds: "Per se" limit exists. Driving with a THC blood concentration of 5.0 ng/mL or higher is a DUI. You can also be charged with a DUI for impairment below this threshold.