Weed dispensaries in Spokane, WA
Weed dispensaries in Spokane, WA
Buying cannabis from a Spokane dispensary
Spokane might not be as well-known as Washington cities on the coast, but as one of the most populated cities in the state, its laws and customs are as impactful on the state culture as Seattle’s and Tacoma’s. Despite the city having a more conservative environment than the cities on the Sound, Spokane’s cannabis laws are essentially in line with the rest of the state — which is excellent news for cannabis consumers.
Spokane, WA dispensary maps
Cannabis laws to know in Spokane
Both medical and recreational cannabis is legal in Spokane. As early as 1997, Washington voters enacted a medical marijuana program, and Washington was among the first two states to adopt adult-use cannabis regulations in 2012. Though Spokane has a complex historical relationship with cannabis law, the city currently has the same regulations as the rest of the state when it comes to purchasing, possessing, and consuming cannabis.
Spokane’s recreational cannabis regulations
Adults aged 21 and up are legally allowed to purchase cannabis products from a licensed Spokane dispensary. In Spokane, recreational cannabis is often called “retail” cannabis, and recreational dispensaries in Spokane are sometimes referred to as retailers or shops. Possession limits for recreational users are as follows:
1 ounce of dry flower
7 grams of concentrates or extracts (for dabbing)
16 ounces of infused product in edible form
72 ounces of infused product in liquid form
Recreational users are not allowed to cultivate any number of cannabis plants for personal use; all recreational cannabis products must come from a licensed Spokane dispensary.
Medical marijuana in Spokane
Despite frequent federal raids on medical dispensaries in the 2000s and early 2010s, medical marijuana remains legal and available in Spokane. Medical patients with qualifying conditions can register with the Washington Department of Health to obtain a card, which grants them access to Spokane dispensaries with medical cannabis treatments. Medical marijuana patients are subject to higher possession limits, as follows:
3 ounces of dry flower
21 grams of concentrates or extracts
48 ounces of infused product in edible form
216 ounces of infused product in liquid form
What’s more, medical patients are allowed to participate in personal cultivation. Valid cardholders can grow up to four plants, and some patients far from legal dispensaries in Spokane Valley can grow up to 15 plants with doctor approval. From these plants, patients can possess up to eight ounces of dry flower.
How to get a medical card in Spokane
To visit a Spokane dispensary with a valid medical card, patients must apply to the state-run medical marijuana program, managed by the Washington Department of Health. Applicants to the program must be residents of Washington, and they must submit a form completed by a qualified health care practitioner, such as an MD, DO, PA, DOA, ARNP, or naturopathic physician. Patients younger than 18 must have a parent or adult guardian agree to and participate in the administration of their treatment. Submitting an application requires a $95 processing fee, but some patients may have that fee refunded after acceptance.
Where is it legal to consume cannabis in Spokane?
In Spokane, cannabis use is tightly restricted to private spaces. Currently, it is illegal for a Spokane dispensary to operate as a lounge. Neither smoking cannabis nor using other types of cannabis products is allowed in view of the public, which means visitors to Washington interested in retail cannabis should find 420-friendly accommodations, and Spokane residents should verify with landlords before partaking.
How to buy cannabis at a Spokane dispensary
Spokane doesn’t impose rules regarding how dispensaries serve customers, but most Spokane dispensaries operate in relatively similar fashions. Dispensaries tend to be open between 8AM and 10PM, and most prefer payments in cash because card processing is more difficult in the cannabis industry. Though cannabis delivery remains illegal, retail customers and medical patients can order online and arrange curbside pickup.
How much does cannabis cost in Spokane?
Cannabis costs are notoriously low in Washington. In Spokane, the base price for a gram of dry flower is around $10. Concentrates and infusions vary more widely based on dispensary, brand, quality, and more.
Cannabis taxes in Spokane
Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) imposes a 37% excise tax on all recreational cannabis purchases in addition to the standard 6.5% sales tax levied on all retail sales. Though those taxes look high, the lack of additional taxes for cultivation, transportation, distribution, and other steps within the cannabis industry keep cannabis prices competitive with neighboring states. Tax revenues collected by the state help fund health programs for Washingtonians.