Washington Designated Providers

TokinSpokane said:

Beyond everything I have read for the current laws/rules for being a "Designated Provider" in WA, I have questions:
I understand that my information as well as the information of the patient I would be providing for would be entered into a database.
1) Would this database put me on the radar?(Ergo, be provided to law enforcement?)
2) Would I be subject to possible future random visits by law enforcement to verify that I am complying with the laws as far as plant counts, dried flower on hand, etc.?
2a) Or would I only be subject to a visit by law enforcement if I was already under investigation for the possibility of running a grow op. and a warrant was issued to search my home?

I just want to legally and quietly help out a medical patient in need while also gaining valuable experience in growing cannabis that may help me land a job in the industry in the future.
...Without putting myself on the radar for a home invasion by local law enforcement...

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Bigozgood said:

Can anyone help me with this question. I am going to the doctor and trying to get my cannabis card on the third of next month and I want to start growing, is it worth it or what?

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IndicaAngel said:

Hi guys, as it stands now there is NO registry and no way for anyone to keep tabs, however with the new laws going into effect, which have already started - the main change is the plant count per household does not go up with more people, used to be we could have our own 15 and be a provider and have another 15, that has already changed and it's 15 per household now.
Also in 2016 the proposed changes will make it so 4 plants are for unregistered and 6 for registered, also your cert giver can stipulate more plants.

I have been a provider in WA state for 4 years.
Also collectives will be activated with the new law next year.
up to 4 patients/providers can have all of their plants at 1 location, but it has to be one of the 4 people in the collective.

There is a ton more changes, so you might want to read up

http://www.doh.wa.gov/ForPublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/HealthcareProfessionsandFacilities/MedicalMarijuanaCannabis

Hope this helps someone.

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1. 
   Effective July 1, 2016:
   • All marijuana producers, processors and retail stores must be licensed by the LCB.
   • All marijuana and marijuana products must be tested for safety and THC/CBD levels, accurately labeled, and sold in child-resistant packaging.
   • Licensed retail stores may apply for and get a medical marijuana endorsement.
   • All authorizations must be written on a form developed by the department and printed on tamper-resistant paper. All other forms of documentation are no longer valid.
   • Patients under 18 years of age must have permission from a parent or guardian, and must participate in treatment.
   • The database becomes operational.
   • Patients and designated providers may be entered into the database by presenting their authorization to a licensed retail store with a medical marijuana endorsement.
   • Possession amounts change depending on whether the patient or designated provider is entered into the database:
     • Entered: May purchase up to three times the current limits at licensed retail store with a medical marijuana endorsement and may possess six plants and eight ounces of useable marijuana; healthcare practitioner may authorize additional plants to a maximum of 15; purchases at retail stores with a medical marijuana endorsement are not subject to sales tax; provides arrest protection.
     • Not entered: Patient or designated provider can be arrested but has an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution for possession of up to four plants and six ounces of useable marijuana; may not participate in cooperatives; purchases at retail stores limited to amounts for all adults and are subject to sales tax.
   • Up to four patients and designated providers may form a cooperative at the residence of one of the members and may grow the total authorized amount for the four members. Cooperatives must be registered with the LCB.
   • A healthcare practitioner may sell or donate to patients topical products that have less than 0.3 percent THC.
   • Collective gardens under the old law are no longer allowed. New language allows for cooperatives with specific restrictions.
   Decision from the Washington Supreme Court
   A May 2015 decision by the Washington Supreme Court has clarified that Chapter 69.51A RCW doesn't legalize the medical use of marijuana. It only provides qualified patients holding a valid recommendation and their designated providers with an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution (State of Washington v. William Michael Reis (PDF)).