The state’s medical marijuana overhaul law took effect Friday, meaning unlicensed dispensaries in Kitsap should by now be shuttered.
Medical marijuana patients have the option of registering for a state database, which allows them to buy products from recreational marijuana stores without paying the heavy sales tax, among other benefits.
To sell to those patients,
recreational marijuana stores must obtain a
special endorsement from the state.
As of Tuesday, 14 of Kitsap County’s 17 licensed retail stores had received the endorsement, according to Liquor and Cannabis Board records.
Click here for a statewide map of locations.
The Suquamish Tribe’s Agate Dreams store also will begin serving medical marijuana patients later this month, a store employee said Friday.
The state scrambled to get the medical marijuana patient database operational in time for the July 1 deadline. The database went live Friday, but the Department of Health warned some stores may not be ready to input patient information or issue “recognition” cards.
In addition to sales tax-free purchases, these are the other benefits provided to patients who register for the medical marijuana database:
- Purchase up to three times the current legal limit for recreational users.
- Purchase high-THC infused products.
- Grow more than four plants in their residence.
- Have full protection from arrest, prosecution, and legal penalties, although patients will still have an affirmative defense.
