Notice – see our Medical Cannabis Registry page to learn about the new registry effective June 30, 2025.
Program Overview
The Cannabis Patient Protection Act (SB 5052) (PDF) passed in April of 2015 and went into full effect on July 1, 2016. SB 5052 creates strict regulations for cannabis producers, processors and stores that want to sell to medical cannabis patients.
Under the act, the Department of Health was directed to adopt rules and develop a program focused on three areas:
- Product compliance - Under chapter 246-70 WAC, we set standards for cannabis products that may be beneficial for medical use.
- Medical Cannabis Registry - Under chapter 246-71 WAC, we oversee administration and maintenance of the patient registry.
- Medical Cannabis Certified Consultants – Under chapter 246-72 WAC, we set training and certification requirements for medical cannabis consultants.
Data and Statistics
- Updated April 2026
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The following statistics are reported by the medical cannabis database administrator and the agency's credentialing office.
Recognition Cards Created from the Database
Cards Created so far in 2026: 6,439
Data notes:
- Numbers account for each card generated from the database (initial, renewal, replacement, and corrections) and includes both patients and designated providers.
- Original system went live on July 1, 2016. Upgraded Medical Cannabis Registry (MCR) system went live July 1, 2025.
- 2026 includes data through Quarter 1 (March 31)
Patient Statistics
- Total active adult patients: 24,284
- Total active minor patients: 76
- Total active designated providers: 1,863
Data note: We no longer collect data on qualifying conditions.
Medical Cannabis Certified Consultants with Active Credential
- Certified consultants with an active credential: 668
Licensed Cannabis Retail Stores with Medical Endorsement
- Total number of medically-endorsed stores: 317 out of 464 licensed.
- Total Number of medically-endorsed stores that have issued a card in the last quarter: 255
Contact and Connect
Contact information and resources
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