Disclaimer: This post provides general information and does not provide legal advice. Be sure to review all links provided for details. If you have questions about the legality of any action, consult a lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
Are authorized and registered medical cannabis patients both considered medical cannabis patients in Washington State?
Yes! Both authorized and registered patients are medical marijuana patients in Washington state. Although both authorized and registered patients are Washington State medical cannabis patients, they are not the same, however, so read on to learn more about each option and select what is best for you.
Why are there two options?
When the State legislature was updating medical cannabis laws in 2015, a subset of medical patients were concerned about a proposed requirement to register with the State. Not all patients wanted to join a registry, but they still wanted to be recognized as medical cannabis patients with the right to grow their own medicine. As a compromise, Washington’s legislature created two options- authorized patient and registered patient. These two paths forward remain today as part of the 2015 Cannabis Patient Protection Act.
Although both authorized and registered patients are cannabis patients in Washington State, there are key differences.
Authorized patients must be over the age of 18 and hold a medical marijuana authorization signed by the patient and doctor. An authorized medical patient may grow up to 4 cannabis plants for their personal medical use. An authorized patient may shop at medically endorsed retail cannabis stores or retail cannabis stores with purchase quantities and prices identical to a recreational cannabis consumer. Authorized patients may establish “affirmative defense” (RCW 69.51a). If you do not require medical purchase quantities and discounts at the store, growing 4 or fewer plants is adequate for your medical needs, remaining an authorized patient may be appropriate for you. An authorized patient can become a registered patient at any time.
Many patients will benefit from the optional step of becoming a registered medical cannabis patient.
Registering as a patient provides benefits that many patients need. Patients may register at any medically endorsed retail cannabis store. The Medical Cannabis Registry (MCR) is accessible to others in limited ways: a doctor can access their own patient’s information, medical cannabis consultants can access patient information to enter or update patient information, and law enforcement “engaged in a bona fide specific investigation of suspected cannabis-related activity that may be illegal under Washington state law” (WAC 246-71-080) may be granted access. Patient information is never accessible to the public. Patients may access their MCR to update their information, and to view all entities who have accessed their data through the patient portal. The MCR also allows patients to search for medically endorsed retail cannabis stores, provides updated information on the medical cannabis patient program, and allows access to a mobile-friendly medical marijuana registry card. Patients may remove their data from the MCR and become authorized patients at any time.
All pediatric patients must be registered in the MCR along with a designated provider who is a parent or legal guardian of the patient. Pediatric patients must have medicine provided to them by their designated provider and are not allowed in medically endorsed retail cannabis stores. Patients ages of 18 to 21 may obtain medicine from their designated provider, or directly from medically endorsed retail cannabis stores.
Registered patients have additional rights
Registered patients may grow 6 cannabis plants. Additional plants are authorized at the discretion of your doctor with a maximum of 15 plants. Registered patients can grow cooperatively with 1-3 other patients, or designate a provider to grow on their behalf.
When shopping at medically endorsed retail cannabis stores, registered patients have tripled purchase quantities. Patients may purchase up to 3 ounces of flower, 21 grams of concentrate, 48 ounces of solid infused products (edibles), and 218 ounces of liquid infused products (tinctures and beverages).
Registered patients are exempt from state retail and excise taxes, which together add up to an approximately 47% discount on medical cannabis compliant products purchase from a medically endorsed retail store.
Registered patients have access to qualified Medical Cannabis Consultants. Medical Cannabis Consultants have additional training to serve the needs of medical patients. Cannabis consultants can discuss medical use of products and help you select the correct product but are not a substitute for a cannabis-informed doctor like we have at Qwibil!
We hope this information has been a valuable to your decision making process. If you have questions be sure to consult a lawyer, ask your doctor, or contact the Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program.
Recommended resources:
- WA Department of Health- Medical Cannabis Laws and Rules
- Revised Code of Washington- RCW 69.51a (Medical Cannabis)
- Cannabis Patient Protection Act
- Chapter 246-71 WAC
