How does the medical marijuana law affect other people?
No one can be punished solely for being in the presence or vicinity of medical marijuana or someone using medical marijuana. RCW 69.51A.050(2). So long as they are not violating the medical marijuana law or committing some other crime, family members, friends, medical services providers, social workers, and anyone else may be around medical marijuana users without fear of prosecution. The medical marijuana law only allows qualifying patients and their caregivers to possess medical marijuana and only qualifying patients to use the marijuana. The law does not allow anyone else to possess, deliver, or use marijuana for any purpose. What are the limits of the medical marijuana law? The Medical Use of Marijuana Act protects only the individuals described in the statute (see above). Except for the assistance given by a designated caregiver to a qualifying patient, growing marijuana or giving marijuana to anyone is still a crime under Washington state law. Even qualifying patients can be pros
