Medical Marijuana

Abstract

For individuals who have cancer, migraines, or HIV, medicinal marijuana has become a key component of treating their conditions. It has grown into an accepted medical treatment in Washington State since its legalization in 1998. The main issue facing legislators today is how to regulate the medical marijuana market in order to ensure that it does not undercut the recreational market, which will be heavily taxed. Washington State voters approved recreational marijuana in 2013 with the passage of Initiative 502. In response, new, stricter medical marijuana regulations are being proposed in the form of Senate Bill 5887.