{"id":377089,"date":"2018-06-25T10:53:21","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T15:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-drug-cultivation-and-distribution-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-04T11:21:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T16:21:36","slug":"washington-drug-cultivation-and-distribution-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-drug-cultivation-and-distribution-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Drug Cultivation and Distribution Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Drug Cultivation and Distribution Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Washington State drug laws resemble those of most other states. Although both recreational and medical marijuana are legal in Washington, possession, distribution, and cultivation<\/a> of every other controlled substance is unlawful and can result in severe penalties.<\/p>\r\n

Despite legalization efforts for personal use, possession of a controlled substance for sale or distribution remains a serious offense. Law enforcement efforts focus less on individual use and more on possession of larger quantities for sale or distribution.<\/p>\r\n

Washington Drug Distribution Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Washington’s Controlled Substances Act<\/a> mirrors the federal Controlled Substances Act. The law classifies all drugs and medications into schedules. This is done according to their safety, medical uses, and risk of abuse. The amount of a substance determines if a charge is simple possession or intent to distribute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Schedule I drugs<\/b> have no medical use and a high risk of abuse. Heroin and LSD are examples of Schedule I drugs.<\/p>\r\n

Schedule II drugs<\/b> have some medical use despite a high risk of abuse. Morphine, amphetamines (but not methamphetamine), and fentanyl are Schedule II drugs.<\/p>\r\n

Schedule III <\/b>and Schedule IV<\/b> drugs are prescription drugs with some risk of dependency. These drugs are legal with a prescription, and licensed pharmacists can sell them.<\/p>\r\n

Schedule V <\/b>and Schedule VI<\/b> substances are over-the-counter substances that are sometimes used for abuse, such as inhalants and cough syrup. They can also be precursor chemicals used to manufacture other drugs. Possession of these chemicals can result in criminal charges.<\/p>\r\n

Possession for Manufacture, Sale, or Distribution<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Possession of any amount of an illegal drug for sale or distribution is a felony. The level of felony depends on the exact type of the drug.<\/p>\r\n

A Class B felony<\/b> has penalties of prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to $25,000. Drugs carrying this penalty include:<\/p>\r\n