Washington Marijuana Laws (2026): A Beginner’s Guide
The Complete Guide to the Legal Status of Marijuana in Washington
Quick answer: Yes, marijuana is legal for adults 21 and older in Washington, and the state has a medical program too. Adults can buy and possess up to 1 ounce of flower, 16 ounces of solid edibles, 72 ounces of infused liquids and 7 grams of concentrate. Home growing is still illegal unless you’re a registered medical patient.
Last verified: October 20, 2026, against the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Laws change, so check the official site before you travel or buy.
| Recreational | Yes. Voters approved Initiative 502 in 2012, and stores opened in 2014. |
|---|---|
| Medical | Yes. Patients with a recognition card are entered in the state medical cannabis database. |
| Minimum age | 21 (younger patients only through the medical program) |
| Possession limit | 1 oz of flower, 16 oz of solid edibles, 72 oz of liquids, 7 g of concentrate |
| Home grow | Not for recreational users. Registered patients: 6 plants, up to 15 if authorized. |
| Public use | Illegal, including on federal land |
| Driving limit/DUI rule | 5.00 ng/mL THC in blood (21+). Above 0.00 for drivers under 21. |
| Medical card for visitors | Not recognized, but visitors 21+ can shop at adult-use stores |
Who can buy?
Anyone 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID, and that includes out-of-state visitors. Washington has had legal stores since 2014, so this is one of the most established markets in the country. Under 21? Err… no, unless you’re a registered medical patient.
Medical patients can get a recognition card after a healthcare practitioner authorizes them and a medically endorsed store enters them in the state database. The card lets patients:
- Buy up to three times the adult-use limits at medically endorsed stores
- Skip sales tax on medical purchases
- Grow plants at home
Washington doesn’t accept medical cards from other states.
Where can you buy?
Only at retail stores licensed by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). Some stores also carry a medical endorsement for patients. Some cities and counties ban cannabis businesses, so stores aren’t everywhere. Delivery to consumers isn’t allowed. Expect a hefty state cannabis excise tax on top of sales tax at the register.
How much can you buy or possess?
Adults 21+ can buy and possess up to:
- 1 ounce of usable cannabis (flower)
- 16 ounces of solid cannabis-infused products, such as edibles
- 72 ounces of infused liquids, such as drinks
- 7 grams of concentrate
Registered medical patients can buy up to three times those amounts. At home, a patient’s limit is 8 ounces of usable cannabis from their own plants, or up to 16 ounces if a practitioner authorized more plants.
Can you grow your own?
Not for recreational users. Washington is still one of the few adult-use states that bans home grow, and growing without authorization can be charged as a felony. A 2026 bill to allow 6 plants per adult (SB 6204) stalled in the Senate Rules Committee and didn’t pass.
Registered medical patients are the exception. They can grow 6 plants, or up to 15 if their practitioner authorizes it. No more than 15 plants are allowed in a single housing unit, unless the plants are part of a registered cooperative.
Setting up a legal grow? If you qualify to grow here, see our beginner guides to LED grow lights, grow tents and leaf trimmers.
Where can you smoke?
Only in private, and with permission. According to the LCB, you can’t use cannabis in public in any form, including smoking, vaping or eating. That covers parks, sidewalks, restaurants, concerts, and state and federal land. Public use is a civil infraction.
Washington’s indoor smoking law also applies to cannabis, and the state doesn’t license social consumption lounges. Hotels, rentals and landlords can set their own rules.
Can you drive after using?
No. Washington has a per se limit:
- Drivers 21 and older: a blood THC level of 5.00 ng/mL or more within two hours of driving is DUI.
- Drivers under 21: any THC above 0.00 counts.
You can also be charged with DUI based on impairment alone. In the car, cannabis must be in its original sealed container and kept in the trunk, or in an area nobody in the car can reach if there’s no trunk. The glove box doesn’t count.
Can you take it out of state?
No. Crossing state lines with cannabis is illegal under federal law, even into Oregon, which also allows adult use. Idaho bans marijuana entirely and enforces its border strictly. Recreational marijuana remains federally illegal (Schedule I). In April 2026, the federal government moved state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, but that doesn’t allow interstate travel. Flying out of Sea-Tac with cannabis is also a bad idea, because airports fall under federal rules.
Can your employer fire you?
For current employees, generally yes. Washington employers can keep drug-free workplace policies.
Since January 1, 2024, though, state law has limited hiring discrimination. Most employers can’t reject a job applicant just for off-duty cannabis use, or for a pre-employment test that only finds non-psychoactive THC metabolites. There are exceptions for safety-sensitive jobs, the airline and aerospace industries, law enforcement and roles covered by federal rules.
Penalties, briefly
- Over the limit (more than 1 oz of flower, up to 40 grams): misdemeanor
- More than 40 grams: felony, up to 5 years
- Under 21 possession: illegal and can be charged
- Public use: civil infraction
- Unlicensed sales or unauthorized growing: felony
Check the Revised Code of Washington for specifics. For other states, see our marijuana law hub.
Washington marijuana law FAQ
Can you grow weed at home in Washington?
Not for recreational use. Washington still bans home cannabis grows for adults who aren’t registered medical patients, and a 2026 home-grow bill didn’t pass. Registered medical patients can grow 6 plants, or up to 15 if their practitioner authorizes it.
How much weed can you buy in Washington?
Adults 21 and older in Washington can buy and possess up to 1 ounce of flower, 16 ounces of solid edibles, 72 ounces of infused liquids and 7 grams of concentrate. Registered medical patients can buy up to three times those amounts.
What is the THC driving limit in Washington?
For Washington drivers 21 and older, it’s 5.00 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. For drivers under 21, any THC above 0.00 counts. Drivers can also be charged based on impairment alone.
Can tourists buy marijuana in Washington?
Yes. Any adult 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID can buy from a licensed Washington cannabis store. Out-of-state medical cards aren’t recognized, but visitors don’t need one to shop.
Where can you legally smoke weed in Washington?
Only on private property where the owner allows it. Washington bans cannabis use in public places, including parks, sidewalks and federal land, and doesn’t license social consumption lounges.
