Cannabis law in Washington (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Adults aged 21 or over in Washington may possess up to one ounce of useable cannabis, with matching limits for products, and buy it from licensed retailers. Growing at home is allowed only for authorised medical patients. Consuming cannabis in public is a civil infraction.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | Adults aged 21 or over: up to 1 ounce of useable cannabis, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused product in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form, and 7 grams of cannabis concentrate. [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [2] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Licensed retail stores for adults [3] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [4] |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Legal for medical use [5] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | Not addressed in the source [1] |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | It is an offence to drive while under the influence of or affected by cannabis, or with a blood THC concentration of 5.00 or higher within two hours after driving. Being entitled to use cannabis is no defence. [6] |
| Minimum agePersonal use by an adult | 21 years [3] |
| Purchase limit in licensed shopsPersonal use by an adult | Licensed retail outlets may sell a person 21 or older up to 1 ounce of useable cannabis, 16 ounces of solid infused product, 72 ounces of liquid infused product or 7 grams of concentrate (or a combination of these). [3] |
Notes
- Possession above these amounts is outside the exemption; possession of 40 grams or less of cannabis outside the exemption is a misdemeanour (RCW 69.50.4014).
- Growing is lawful only for licensed producers and for medical patients: an authorised patient or designated provider may grow up to six plants in the domicile (up to 15 if the health care professional so specifies) and keep up to eight ounces (16 ounces) of useable cannabis produced from them.
- Opening a package or consuming cannabis in view of the general public or in a public place is a class 3 civil infraction. Carrying within the possession limits is not an offence.
- The possession exemption applies to 'a person 21 years of age or older' and sets no residency condition.
Sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 69.50.4013 - Possession, use of controlled substance (including possession of useable cannabis) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 69.50.401 - Prohibited acts: A - Penalties (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 69.50.360 - Cannabis retailers, employees of retail outlets (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 69.50.445 - Opening package of or consuming cannabis in view of general public or public place (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 69.51A.210 - Qualifying patients or designated providers: authorization (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Washington State Legislature: RCW 46.61.502 Driving under the influence (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Possession for personal use | Criminal offence (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Growing at home | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
| Sale to consumers | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Washington and neighbouring states
| State | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Legal for adults 21+ within limits | Prohibited (medical patients: 6 plants) | Licensed retail stores, 21+ | No use in public (civil infraction) | Authorised patients, endorsed retailers | Not addressed (21+ only) |
| Idaho | Illegal; penalties under the Controlled Substances Act | No (illegal to manufacture) | No legal sale | Illegal in public | No medical programme | — |
| Oregon | Legal for adults 21+ within limits | Up to 4 plants per residence | OLCC-licensed retail stores | No use in public places | Medical programme (OMMP) | — |
More rules in Washington
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 50 mph county; 60 mph state
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 if in driver training; otherwise 15.5
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (no rockets, firecrackers) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Allowed unless intimidating or alarming · Locking or one-handed knives: Spring blade banned; assisted opening not
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes (state law) · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $17.13 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.