Some states may recognize a medical marijuana authorization from Washington. Medical marijuana patients from Washington should check with other states before traveling, and should follow the laws in those states. Healthcare practitioner authorizations, ID cards and other documentation from other states are not recognized in Washington.

A valid authorization is a form completely filled out by the patient’s authorizing healthcare practitioner (doctor), and must be on the Department of Health form number DOH 630-123. Any other form of recommendation, prescription or authorization is invalid. It must also be printed on tamper-resistant paper, include an original signature by the healthcare practitioner, along with the authorization date and expiration date and be no more than 1 year from date of authorization; or six months for patients under the age of 18.

Qualifying patients or designated providers who are not entered in the medical marijuana authorization database and do not have a recognition card, but who present their medical marijuana authorization to any law enforcement officer who questions the patient or provider regarding their medical use of marijuana, may assert an affirmative defense to charges of violations of state law relating to marijuana through the proof of a trial, by a preponderance of the evidence , that they otherwise meet the requirements of RCW 69.51A.040.

A qualifying patient or designated provider meeting the conditions of this subsection, but possessing more marijuana than the limits set forth in RCW 69.51A.210(3), may, in the investigating law enforcement officer’s discretion, be taken into custody and booked into jail in connection with the incident.

According to RCW 69.51A.040(1)(a), the qualifying patient or designated provider may not be arrested if he or she has been entered into the medical marijuana authorization database and holds a valid recognition card and possesses no more than the amount of marijuana concentrates, usable marijuana, plants, or marijuana-infused products authorized under RCW 69.51A.210

How you ingested the edible will dictate how long it will take. For example, if you eat an edible such as a brownie or a cookie, the food has to be digested before the THC can begin to absorb into the bloodstream. This can take anywhere from an hour to three hours, depending on how fast of a metabolism you have.

If you were to ingest your edibles sublingually, through something like a hard candy, breath strip or beverage, you would likely feel effects within 15-30 minutes since the THC will absorb into the bloodstream through the mouth.

1. Don’t panic! You’re okay, promise.

2. Drink some water.

3. Go outside, get some fresh air.

4. Take a nap or watch a movie.

5. If you have some CBD oil or edibles on hand, ingest them. It’ll lower your anxiety.

6. Chewing on or simply smelling some black peppercorns can drastically reduce anxiety or paranoia.

Edibles

• – Effects should be noticeable within 90mins – 2hrs
• – Most discreet way to consume
• – Easy dosing in increments of 5mg
• – May be beneficial in helping combat insomnia, effects last hours
• – Handful of options available for those with dietary restrictions
• – Possible to make edibles at home

Smoking

• – Fastest way to get high (within seconds)
• – Most well-known method
• – Largest variety of options among products
• – Can be combusted in a joint, blunt, bong or pipe
• – Delivers widest variety of cannabinoids

Vaporizing

• – Effects are noticeable within minutes
• – Increased flavor compared to smoking (preserved terpenes)
• – Easier on the lungs than smoking because of the lower temp and lack of plant matter
• – Can be pretty discreet with a good pen

Dabbing

• – Much more concentrated dosing
• – Best way to experience the flavor of the given strain
• – 100% free of plant material
• – More expensive, but can last longer

Topicals

• – Non-psychoactive, unless transdermal
• – May be beneficial in treating muscle or joint pain and/or inflammation
• – Applied directly to site (but not on open wounds) for local relief
• – Large variety of options and CBD/THC ratios

Tinctures/ingestible concentrates

• – Because it’s sublingual it works the fastest besides smoking
• – Very reliable dosing
• – Can be made at home
• – Can deliver medical benefits without having to smoke or vape
• – Can be taken plain or added to foods (tea/juice/applesauce)

Terpenes are fragrant oils that give cannabis its aromatic diversity. They are what give cannabis strains, herbs, fruits, and plants their distinctive smells. These oils are secreted through the flower’s resin glands – the same ones that produce THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Like cannabinoids, terpenes bind to receptors in the brain and give rise to various effects. When choosing a strain based on its terpene content, keep in mind that different harvests may demonstrate dramatically different terpenoid profiles due to variances in growing and curing techniques. Lab-tested products are the only surefire way of knowing a strain’s terpene potency – without it, you’ll have to rely on your nose to guide you.

Here are a few of the more common terpenes found in cannabis:

• – Pinene: smells of pine and turpentine, and actually repels Insects. It’s found in conifer trees, rosemary and basil. Popular strains containing pinene: Jack Herer, Dutch Treat, Blue Dream
• – Myrcene: smells of musk, cloves, and citrus, and is commonly used in perfumes. It can be found in mangos. Popular strains containing Myrcene: Pure Kush, Skunk #1, AK-47
• – Linalool: Linalool smells of citrus, and spice, and is commonly used in hygeine products. It’s found in lavender, rosewood, and birch. Popular strains containing Linalool: LA Confidential, Amnesia Haze, Lavender
• – Humulene: Humulene smells of earth and wood. It’s found in hops and coriander, and gives beer its “hoppy” taste. Popular strains containing humulene: Pink Kush, Headband, Sour Diesel
• – Limonene: Limonene smells of orange, lemon and can reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn. It can be found in lemons, juniper, and peppermint. Popular strains containing limonene: Chernobyl, Super Lemon Haze, Tangie

Terminal or debilitating medical condition means a condition severe enough to significantly interfere with the patient’s activities of daily living and ability to function, which can be objectively assessed and evaluated and limited to the following:

– Cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or spasticity disorders.
– Intractable pain, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean pain unrelieved by standard medical treatments and medications.
– Glaucoma, either acute or chronic, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications.
– Crohn’s disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
– Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
– Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
– Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis.
– Posttraumatic stress disorder.
– Traumatic brain injury.

Distillation is an old concept – taking an impure product and distilling it until it reaches up to 99% purity. The goal of extractors distilling cannabis oils – get as much THC concentrated as possible. Because of this, distillate is almost always the most expensive concentrate on the shelf. The end product will always look like honey due to the incredible refinement process.

Bubble hash, also known as ice wax or full melt, is one of the oldest and simplest methods of extraction out there. All you do is take your weed, submerge it in ice water for an hour or two, agitate it with a big spoon, and filter all of that through special screens with tiny openings that catch the hash. Once it’s dry, it’s ready.

Carbon Dioxide is the solvent used for this concentrate, as you may have imagined. With all of the new tenchonologies, CO2 oils aren’t used as much anymore since they aren’t able to preserve terpenes like other extraction methods. These days, you’ll usually only see CO2 in a cartridge like this one.

The term ‘rosin’ originally refers to distilled tree sap, which isn’t far off from the weed version. Cannabis rosin is made by taking a bud from the plant and using heavy pressure and mild heat to push the cannabinoids out of the plant. It’s one of the few solventless extraction methods.

RSO is a form of cannabis concentrate created by a man named Rick Simpson. Its notoriety stems from 2003 when Rick Simpson used his homemade oil to cure skin cancer tumors. Extracted using isopropyl alcohol, it’s used primarily by medical patients as a topical, or may be ingested as an edible. Most commonly, RSO is stored in a syringe or applicator due to its severe stickiness.

BHO (Butane Hash Oil) is the most well-known cannabis concentrate. Also known as shatter or wax, it is made by stuffing cannabis into an extraction tube, running butane over the flowers to break the THC crystals off, and then the butane is evaporated out and you’re left with something like in the photo to the left.

With their authorization, a patient may grow four plants, and may obtain up to three ounces of useable marijuana, 48oz of marijuana-infused edibles in solid form, 216oz in liquid form, and 21 grams of marijuana concentrates. If they have been authorized to grow more than four plants, they must be entered into the medical marijuana authorization database and receive a recognition card.

Patients who are entered into the state database are exempt from paying sales tax (10.1%), and in addition receive 15% off as a Have A Heart patient discount, totaling about 25% off of each purchase while the card is valid.

Per the DOH website, qualifying patients who believe they would benefit from the use of marijuana do not need to go to a specialty clinic and pay for an authorization. The state law that went into full effect on July 1, 2016, requires all medical practices that are primarily providing medical marijuana authorizations to either increase the variety of medical services within their practice or close down (RCW 69.51A.030(2)(d)(iv).

The Department of Health does not keep a list of those specific practitioners that are authorizing. The following types of healthcare practitioners licensed in Washington State are allowed to authorize the use of marijuana to medical patients: Medical doctor (MD), Physician assistant (PA), Osteopathic physician (DO), Osteopathic physician assistant (DOA), Naturopathic physician, and Advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP).

It is recommended that patients start with their general practitioner or the specialist they are seeing for their qualifying condition to discuss the use of marijuana as a form of treatment.

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is the most well-known non-psychoactive cannabinoid among the dozens of others being researched. It displays a broad range of potential medical applications which makes it a big topic of discussion when treating symptoms related to epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer treatments and PTSD. CBD’s therapeutic potential with respect to addiction also extends to the serotonin system. Animal studies have demonstrated that CBD directly activates multiple serotonin receptors in the brain. These interactions have been implicated in its ability to reduce drug-seeking behavior.

THC

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis responsible for making you feel “high.” It’s a cannabinoid and it works by binding to cannabinoid receptors concentrated in the brain and central nervous system to produce psychoactive effects. Depending on which cannabis strain you use, some short-term effects of THC include: elation, relaxation, sedation, energy, hunger, drowsiness, increased heart rate and dry mouth.

CBD

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is the most well-known non-psychoactive cannabinoid among the dozens of others being researched. It displays a broad range of potential medical applications which makes it a big topic of discussion when treating symptoms related to epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer treatments and PTSD. CBD’s therapeutic potential with respect to addiction also extends to the serotonin system. Animal studies have demonstrated that CBD directly activates multiple serotonin receptors in the brain. These interactions have been implicated in its ability to reduce drug-seeking behavior.

Because each state’s marijuana laws differ and are run independently, it is illegal to take marijuana purchased in CA, outside of California. Doing so may result in significant legal penalties.

If you have never tried edibles before (store-bought edibles), it is recommended to start with 5mg and work your way up. Because edibles work differently than smoking does, it’s best to be mindful of how much you’re consuming, what you’ll be doing while high, and how long it can take for it to “kick in” – most people need to wait between 30 minutes and 90 minutes. It’s also a good idea to get up and walk around a little before taking in more THC, sometimes you need to get the blood flowing to get it to kick in faster.

Contrary to popular belief, the amount of time it takes for one to feel an edible’s effects depends a lot on rate of metabolism, and what else you have eaten that day. If you have a huge meal before eating some edibles, it will probably take longer to notice and feel less intense than if you had eaten a lighter meal with a good amount of healthy fats, such as avocado toast or a handful of nuts, since THC binds to fat.

In the state of California, adults age 21 and over can purchase up to 28.5 of useable marijuana (the harvested flowers) and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis (includes concentrates and infused products like edibles) per day. You may also have 6 immature cannabis plants.

If you are a medical patient with authorization in the state of CA, you may possess more product than a 21+ recreational user: 8 ounces of useable marijuana and 12 immature cannabis plants. You may be allowed to have more if specified by physicians recommendation. A patient can not combine medical and adult use limits to purchase more than the medical limit.

A cannabinoid is one of a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. At present, there are two known types of cannabinoid receptors, termed CB1 and CB2, with mounting evidence of more.

Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1

CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain, more specifically in the basal ganglia and in the limbic system, including the hippocampus and the striatum. They are also found in the cerebellum and in both male and female reproductive systems. CB1 receptors are absent in the medulla oblongata, the part of the brain stem responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular functions. CB1 is also found in the human anterior eye and retina.

Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2

CB2 receptors are predominantly found in the immune system, or immune-derived cells with the greatest density in the spleen. While found only in the peripheral nervous system, a report does indicate that CB2 is expressed by a subpopulation of microglia in the human cerebellum. CB2 receptors appear to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and possibly other therapeutic effects of cannabis seen in animal models.

Examples of well-known cannabinoids:

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), CBD (Cannabidiol), CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid), CBN (Cannabinol), CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene), CBL (Cannabicyclol), and CBV (Cannabivarin).

Sativa

Sativas originate from the warm climates of Mexico, Central America, and Southeast Asia and they thrive outdoors in the heat. When you consume a sativa strain you might feel: energized, thoughtful, focused, generally awesome and uplifted, with a stimulated head high. Sativas also tend to have a lighter, more fruity aroma.

Common Sativas: Sour Diesel, Green Crack, Jack Herer, Durban Poison, Super Silver Haze

Indica

Indicas are native to Hindu Kush range in the Himalayas, so they are much more tolerant of cold and inclement weather than sativas. If you consume an indica, you might feel sleepy, relaxed, pain relief, and it can also reduce nausea, increase appetite (munchies) and help battle depression.

Common Indicas: Grandaddy Purple, Bubba Kush, Northern Lights, Blue Cheese, Blackberry Kush

Hybrid

Hybrid strains occur when expert breeders select the best sativa and indica strains and crossbreed them. Hybrids are frequently bred with other hybrids and can be sativa or indica dominant. So, depending on the dominant strain, they will have similar effects to their dominant strain. Most strains in the recreational market these days are hybrid due to years of plant breeding.

Common Hybrids: Blue Dream, OG Kush, White Widow, Dutch Treat

Per the www.seattle.gov website, city rules prohibit recreational marijuana use in public. “In public” means in view of the general public. See SMC 12A.20.100. Additional state and federal regulations are highlighted below.

Private vs. Public

Washington state law protects private marijuana use, so you can consume openly in a residence as long as the property owner allows it. Marijuana cannot be consumed in public view, such as on streets or sidewalks or in public parks. In addition, the state’s Smoking in Public Places law (RCW 70.160) prohibits smoking of any kind in public places and places of employment.

Hotels

As with tobacco, smoking marijuana in any indoor location is subject to the restrictions in the Washington state Smoking in Public Places law. The law prohibits smoking in a public place or place of employment and within 25 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area. If the establishment permits it and you are either vaporizing or staying in a room in which smoking is allowed, you can legally consume marijuana in a private hotel room.

Boating, Hiking and Skiing

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, if you are in navigable waters, they will enforce federal law. Possession of marijuana is still a federal crime. This is also true at national parks. And it is never okay to operate a boat while impaired by marijuana or any other drug. The law against marijuana use in public view applies to state parks, public hiking trails and ski resorts.

Recreational Users

No – Washington state does not allow home growing for non-medical purposes.

Medical Patients

Medical recognition card holders, however, may grow up to six plants in their home or as a member of a cooperative. If the patient’s healthcare practitioner determines the patient requires more than the presumptive amount, they may authorize up to 15 plants.

Qualified patients and designated providers with a valid authorization form who choose not to be entered into the database may grow up to four plants in their home. Patients and designated providers who aren’t entered into the database are limited to four plants and six ounces of usable marijuana even if a higher number of plants is indicated on their authorization. Patients and designated providers who aren’t entered into the database have only an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution.

(1) It is unlawful to open a package containing marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or marijuana concentrates, or consume marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or marijuana concentrates, in view of the general public or in a public place.
(2) For the purposes of this section, “public place” has the same meaning as defined in RCW 66.04.010, but the exclusions in RCW 66.04.011 do not apply.
(3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 3 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW.