We adopt rules, in conjunction the LCB, for cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, and cannabis-infused products that may be beneficial for patient use. These rules, codified in chapter 246-70 WAC:
- Establish production classifications (General, high-THC, and high-CBD) and requirements for each.
- Set quality assurance testing requirements that are more stringent than for recreational cannabis. These can include additional testing for heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxin, and microbiological contaminants, or limitations on solvents used in cannabis processing.
- Require specific labeling to demonstrate product meets medical cannabis standards.
- Outline requirements for employee training and safe handling of cannabis in production and processing.
DOH Medical Cannabis Product Categories
DOH medical cannabis products fall into one of three categories and must meet regulatory requirements for each category:
General Use
Any cannabis product allowed by the Liquor and Cannabis Board, including edibles, flowers and concentrates.
Packaged Servings:
- Servings or applications may contain up to 10 mg of active THC.
- A package cannot contain more than 10 servings/applications or exceed 100 mg active THC.
Who can purchase:
- Adults age 21 or older. Purchases are subject to sales tax.
- Patients age 18 and older and designated providers who are entered into the medical cannabis patient registry and hold a valid recognition card. Purchases are sales and excise tax-free.
Where to buy:
- At any licensed cannabis store.
High THC
Cannabis products containing more than 10 mg but not more than 50 mg of active THC per serving or application. High THC product types are limited to capsules, tablets, tinctures, transdermal patches, and suppositories.
Packaged Servings:
- Servings or applications may contain up to 50 mg of active THC.
- A package cannot contain more than 10 servings/applications or exceed 500 mg active THC.
Who can purchase:
Only qualifying patients age 18 and over or designated providers who are entered into the medical cannabis patient registry and hold a valid medical cannabis recognition card. Purchases are sales and excise tax-free.
Where to buy:
- Licensed, medically endorsed cannabis stores only.
High CBD
Any cannabis product allowed by the Liquor and Cannabis Board except cannabis intended for smoking.
Packaged Servings:
- Concentrates cannot exceed 2% THC concentration and must have at least 25 times the CBD concentration by weight.
- Cannabis-infused edibles products cannot have more than 2 mg of active THC and must have at least 5 times more CBD per serving by weight for solids or volume for liquids.
- Cannabis-infused topical products must contain at least 5 times the CBD concentration of THC concentration.
Who can purchase:
- Any adult age 21 or older. Purchases are sales tax-free.
- Qualifying patients age 18 and older and designated providers who are entered into the patient registry and hold a valid medical cannabis recognition card.
- Sales tax-free purchase for anyone aged 21 or older and excise tax-free for patients and DPs who are entered in the patient registry. Purchases are sales and excise tax-free.
Where to buy:
Any licensed cannabis store.
Medical cannabis laws and rules
The legislature passed the Cannabis Patient Protection Act in April 2015, and the Medical Cannabis law went into effect July 1, 2016. This law aligns licensing and regulation of all cannabis producers, processors, retail stores and patient cooperatives under the oversight of the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
We manage the patient registry and credentialing of medical cannabis consultants who work in medically endorsed cannabis stores.
Medical Cannabis law: Chapter 69.51A RCW
Department of Health Medical Cannabis Standards rules: Chapter 246-70 WAC
Liquor and Cannabis Board rules: Chapter 314-55 WAC
* Products that comply with chapter 246-70 WAC are exempt from sales and excise tax when purchased by a recognition card holder.
* Any adult may purchase High CBD Compliant sales tax free.