What does the Medical Use of Marijuana Act do?
Washington State’s medical marijuana law protects qualifying patients and their caregivers from being punished in state courts for growing, possessing, and using marijuana. The law also clarifies that doctors may discuss medical marijuana as a treatment option with their patients. Passage of I-692 did not, however, change federal marijuana laws. This law does not legalize marijuana for recreational use or any other use of marijuana that is not specifically covered by the law. The law applies to only the medical conditions listed in the statute and others approved by the Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Commission after I-692 passed in 1998 (see below). All other uses of marijuana are still illegal. While the law does protect covered patients and caregivers from conviction, it does not technically protect them from arrest or prosecution. However, police and prosecutors usually hesitate to arrest or charge patients and caregivers who are clearly complying with its legal require
