By Anthony Martinelli, Sensible Washington
Senate Bill 5887, a proposal to negatively alter (to put it lightly) Washington’s medical cannabis law, has been given approval through the state’s Senate, with a 34 to 15 vote.
A similar proposal, House Bill 2149, was approved through the state’s House of Representatives last month; the bill has since died in committee in the Senate, but its passage is an indication that they may also pass SB 5887.
Here are some of the changes this measure would bring forth:
- A mandatory patient registry
- A significant reduction in the amount of cannabis a patient can possess and cultivate
- A shutdown of all collective gardens and medical cannabis safe access points (only those already registered with the state to sell recreational cannabis would be able to apply for a license to distribute medical cannabis).
Leadership from both chambers of the state’s legislature are expected to work together in the coming days to reach an agreement on this issue, whether it be the House passing Senate Bill 5887, or whether it be them approving an amended version which would go back to the Senate for final approval. Either way, March 13th is the final day of the session, meaning there’s only a few days left for a deal to be made.
It’s now more important than ever that advocates of medical cannabis and patients’ rights come together and demand that lawmakers oppose Senate Bill 5887 and any similar bill!
Please call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000, and look up your district’s lawmakers (so you can call and e-mail them) by clicking here.
We only have a few days left to save medical cannabis in Washington State. Let’s give it all we’ve got!
