CaseyJones
01-17-2017, 08:45 AM
http://komonews.com/news/local/state-house-considers-bill-that-would-allow-home-grown-marijuana
The State House is considering a bill that would allow adults over 21 to grow their own marijuana.
Supporters argue that of the eight states what have legalized marijuana, Washington is the only one that doesn't allow home grows without a medical authorization.
"There's just no appetite in the senate for home grows right now," said Sen. Ann Rivers, R-Vancouver.
State lawmakers heard a briefing Monday, how Washington has some of the tightest pot regulations in the country. Some opponents say allowing state grows could mean less tax revenue for the state.
According to state records, $2 billion worth of marijuana has been sold since recreational pot became legal here. Washington has also collected double the tax revenue that it initially forecasted.
The bill before the house would allow six plans per adult, up to 12 per household. It would also allow up to two and a half pound of harvested, homegrown marijuana per household.
But, the state's chief marijuana enforcement officer claims home grows could increase black market sales, like it has in Colorado.
"Law enforcement was very concerned that if you allow that for recreational than you are going to allow a black market to exist," said Rick Garza, Director of the State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
"For us, we've watched our black market not disappear, we've seen it greatly diminished," said Sen. Rivers.
The representative who authored the state's grow your own bill was home sick on Monday and her staff said she couldn't don an interview.
Each time the idea had been presented to lawmakers in the past, it's never made it to a full vote of the legislature.
The State House is considering a bill that would allow adults over 21 to grow their own marijuana.
Supporters argue that of the eight states what have legalized marijuana, Washington is the only one that doesn't allow home grows without a medical authorization.
"There's just no appetite in the senate for home grows right now," said Sen. Ann Rivers, R-Vancouver.
State lawmakers heard a briefing Monday, how Washington has some of the tightest pot regulations in the country. Some opponents say allowing state grows could mean less tax revenue for the state.
According to state records, $2 billion worth of marijuana has been sold since recreational pot became legal here. Washington has also collected double the tax revenue that it initially forecasted.
The bill before the house would allow six plans per adult, up to 12 per household. It would also allow up to two and a half pound of harvested, homegrown marijuana per household.
But, the state's chief marijuana enforcement officer claims home grows could increase black market sales, like it has in Colorado.
"Law enforcement was very concerned that if you allow that for recreational than you are going to allow a black market to exist," said Rick Garza, Director of the State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
"For us, we've watched our black market not disappear, we've seen it greatly diminished," said Sen. Rivers.
The representative who authored the state's grow your own bill was home sick on Monday and her staff said she couldn't don an interview.
Each time the idea had been presented to lawmakers in the past, it's never made it to a full vote of the legislature.