Spokane7
62°Medical marijuana
Summary
In 1998, Washington voters approved a law allowing state residents to legally purchase, possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
But the law is vague, creating problems for users and law enforcement. At issue is the legal phrase “only one patient at any one time,” regarding the sale of marijuana from a care provider.
Marijuana advocates argue the law allows dispensaries to essentially become the care provider for the limited time when they sell to each licensed marijuana card holder.
Spokane County law enforcement officials have a different interpretation. Prosecutors say the law makes no provision for commercial dispensaries or the sale of marijuana.
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Latest updates in this topic
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Kids of marijuana activists put in foster care
April 30, 2013 in Idaho BOISE — Three medical marijuana advocates from southwest Idaho say their children were placed into state foster care after law enforcement searched their home and found marijuana. 76
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Spokane pot businesses on hold
February 26, 2013 in City on Page A1 The number of businesses in Spokane specializing in medical marijuana will be frozen at about a dozen for at least the next six months. Fearing the proliferation of businesses that … 32
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Anti-pot bills clear Idaho Senate panel
February 21, 2013 in Idaho on Page A6 BOISE – Idaho should never legalize marijuana for any purpose and should call on the U.S. Justice Department to crack down on states that do, state lawmakers declared Wednesday. The … 9
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Medical pot dispensaries hope legalization opens new doors
February 10, 2013 in City on Page A1 Among the antique stores and other shops of Spokane’s historic Garland District is a door painted with a happy snowman. Inside, the merchant is peddling medical marijuana while harboring hopes … 70
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Interstate 90 a major route for traffickers heading east
January 6, 2013 in City on Page A1 The buds are potent and fresh, packed gingerly in heat-sealed bags to preserve their form and flavor – and throw off the drug dogs. These aren’t the dense bricks of … 80
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Seattle medical marijuana entrepreneur sentenced
December 20, 2012 in Region SEATTLE — A Seattle medical marijuana entrepreneur whose dispensaries were raided last year was sentenced Wednesday in federal court. The 48-year-old Brionne Corbray avoided prison time and was sentenced to … 1
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Medical marijuana dispenser’s conviction overturned
December 12, 2012 in City on Page A1 The drug-trafficking convictions of the man who operated Spokane’s first medical marijuana dispensary were reversed Tuesday in a state Appeals Court ruling that also appears to clear the way for … 9
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Pot still outlawed on campus
November 29, 2012 in City on Page A6 Young voters helped pass laws legalizing marijuana in Washington and Colorado, but many still won’t be able to light up. Most universities have codes of conduct banning marijuana use, and … 7
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Mother gives 7-year-old marijuana to fight chemo
November 25, 2012 in Health, Region on Page B3 PORTLAND – A seven-year-old girl suffering from leukemia is one of Oregon’s youngest medical marijuana patients. Her mother says she gives her daughter marijuana pills to combat the effects of … 2
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Seattle pot parlors laundered illicit drug cash
August 20, 2012 in Region Two people charged as part of the biggest crackdown on marijuana dispensaries in Washington state pleaded guilty to federal charges Monday, acknowledging their business was a front for an illicit … 10
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Letter prompts Wenatchee marijuana shops to close
July 30, 2012 in Region SPOKANE — Three medical marijuana shops in the Wenatchee area have closed down after federal prosecutors sent a letter to the businesses’ landlords. 8
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Idahoans picking up medical marijuana in Oregon
July 6, 2012 in Health, Idaho, Region ON THE OREGON-IDAHO BORDER — Hurtling down I-84 with a bag of medical marijuana and no legal right to possess it, the 23-year-old Idaho man with the crooked grin drove … 9
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Grow house search ruled illegal
June 9, 2012 in City on Page B1 A recent court ruling that deemed a drug raid illegal has raised questions about how law enforcement in Spokane County investigate marijuana growers. Sheriff’s detectives had reason to believe marijuana … 8
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Prosecutors: Stark murder planned
May 10, 2012 in City on Page A5 A Southern California man is either a calculated killer who persuaded his lover to gun down her husband or simply a concerned man who tried to get the dead man’s …
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Gingrich backs vote on marriage
February 25, 2012 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said he thinks allowing same-sex couples to marry is wrong, but the path Washington is taking to change its law is right. Voters, … 1
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Lawmakers balk on marijuana initiative
February 10, 2012 in City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Voters will have to decide this fall whether to legalize marijuana for personal use. The Legislature appears unlikely to vote on, or even debate, the marijuana initiative sent … 1
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Lawmakers to consider pot initiative
January 27, 2012 in City OLYMPIA — A measure that would decriminalize use and possession of small amounts of marijuana for adults was sent to the Washington Legislature today after the Secretary of State’s office … 33
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Latest marijuana bill would create patient registry, co-ops
January 19, 2012 in City on Page A5 OLYMPIA – The latest incarnation of a bill to add structure to Washington’s medical marijuana laws has supporters who don’t like parts of it and opponents who do. People who … 7
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Medical marijuana bill introduced in Idaho House
January 17, 2012 in Idaho Medical marijuana legislation was introduced in the Idaho House today, where Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, introduced HB 370 as a personal bill. 13
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Advocates disagree on best way to regulate medical pot
December 27, 2011 in City on Page A1 Stevens County activists dressed in prison stripes recently were tossed out of Gonzaga University’s Cataldo Hall where Rick Steves, the travel writer and TV show host, was delivering a speech. … 8
