OLYMPIA, WA, (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Home crops of cannabis may be on the horizon in Washington state.
SB 6204 would allow residents over the age of 21 in the state to grow cannabis in their private residence, limiting cultivation to 15 plants per space.
Currently, growth of up to 15 cannabis plants for medical purposes has been allowed in Washington, but recreational growth is considered a Class C felony.
According to bill sponsor Sen. Rebecca Saldana, SB 2064 intends to give more opportunities for residents to interact with the plant.
Under the proposed rules, neighbors could also complain to local law enforcement if they can see or smell the plants.
Several members of the public spoke on the bill on Monday, Jan. 26, arguing that the new rules could overburden local law enforcement or need to account for what other regulations in other states look like.
Caitlein Ryan, Executive Director of the Cannabis Alliance, was one of many speakers to note concerns on youth consumption, saying that there are not significant issues in other states that legalized home-grown cannabis.
“I also would like to point out that this is not too dissimilar from home brewing. And as was mentioned, we are in declining revenues. This actually raises the market cap for regulated cannabis in our state. It will bring that 49% who do not participate into the market,” Ryan said.
Home-cultivated cannabis could not be sold to customers, nor be produced in a house that acts as a foster home or daycare center.

