A bill that just passed both the State House and Senate would close practically all Washington's medical marijuana dispensaries, reports The Stranger. Medical marijuana would instead be sold through recreational pot outlets that have been authorized to sell the medical product as well. These stores would employ people trained in the medicinal qualities of different pot varieties; stores would also have to abide by rules and regulations governing the sale of medicinal marijuana, something dispensaries are not now required to do. A few medical marijuana stores may be allowed to survive. Priority will be given to dispensaries that have already applied to make the change.
The bill will also affect patients. They can choose to sign up for a registry, which would let them to buy three ounces of marijuana at a time (considerably less than the current 24-ounce limit). The registry also qualifies patients to grow up to six marijuana plants, instead of the current 15. The downside? The federal government has been known to prosecute people for purchasing marijuana, which is still a federal offense.
