New medical pot law in Wash. brings uncertainty
Thursday, July 21, 2011
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Dozens of new Washington laws are going into effect on Friday, including some confusing changes to the state's medical marijuana industry.
Medical marijuana patients, providers and cities are all scrambling to understand the law after Gov. Chris Gregoire vetoed key parts of a bill that would have created a statewide system for regulating marijuana.
Gregoire did approve changes that will allow collective marijuana gardens with up to 45 plants, serving up to 10 patients. But the law law seems to leave potential loopholes that could allow for much larger operations.
Several cities are moving ahead with moratoriums on the collective gardens. Seattle plans to regulate them like a normal business. Meanwhile, activists are pushing an initiative for next year that would legalize marijuana for recreational use.
More like this
Vancouver sets rules for marijuana gardens
A few bugs in medical marijuana garden plot
Legalizing marijuana dispensaries focus of hearing in Olympia
