Via High Times
In 1996, California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Following this, 40 states along with the District of Columbia have legalized the medical application of cannabis. Additionally, the District of Columbia and 24 states have allowed cannabis for recreational or adult-use (although four have yet to launch their commercial retail markets). In all of these instances, as with alcohol, the age allowed to use cannabis is 21.
But in Washington, there’s a bill that specifically proposes raising the minimum legal sale age for cannabis products with more than 35% THC concentration to 25 years, with an exemption for qualified patients and designated medical providers.
House Bill 2320, addressing “high-THC cannabis products,” was introduced in the Washington state House Committee on Regulated Substances and Gaming by Representatives Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, and Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, on January 11, with a public hearing on January 16. They argue that high-THC cannabis products present both physical and mental risks that need to be addressed.
“Today, there’s no legal limit on the potency of the psychoactive element, THC, in cannabis concentrates,” Davis said. “Cannabis vape oils, dabs, and shatter are regularly sold with a THC potency of nearly 100 percent—a ten-fold increase in potency from when cannabis was legalized in 2012. These concentrated products are different. And dangerous,” KOIN 06 reports.
“The cannabis industry has changed considerably since cannabis was legalized,” Dent said. “This legislation is needed to address the everchanging market and put some measures in place to protect cannabis users and our youth.”
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Proposal in Washington Seeks to Raise Legal Cannabis Age to 25
