Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) A cooperative may be formed by qualifying
patients and/or designated providers to share responsibility for growing and
processing cannabis only for the medical use of the members of the cooperative.
A cooperative must meet the following criteria:
(a) All cooperative members must be at least
21 years of age. The designated provider of a qualifying patient under 21 years
of age may be a member of a cooperative on the qualifying patient's
behalf;
(b) All cooperative members
must hold valid recognition cards as defined by RCW 69.51A.010;
(c) No more than four qualifying patients or
designated providers may become members of a cooperative;
(d) Qualifying patients or designated
providers may only participate in one cooperative;
(e) A cooperative member may only grow plants
in the cooperative and may not grow plants elsewhere;
(f) Cooperative members must participate in
growing plants. Cooperative members must provide nonmonetary resources and
assistance in order to participate. A monetary contribution or donation is not
considered assistance;
(g)
Cooperative members may grow up to the total amount of plants for which each
cooperative member is authorized on his or her recognition card. At the
location, the qualifying patients or designated providers may possess the
amount of useable cannabis that can be produced with the number of plants
permitted, but no more than 72 ounces;
(h) Cooperative members may not sell, donate,
or otherwise provide cannabis, cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, or
other cannabis-infused products to a person who is not a member of the
cooperative;
(i) A cooperative may
not be located within a one mile radius of a cannabis retailer;
(j) A cooperative must be located at the
domicile of one of the cooperative members. Only one cooperative may be located
per property tax parcel; and
(k) To
obscure public view of the premises, outdoor cannabis production must be
enclosed by a sight obscure wall or fence at least eight feet high.
(2) People who wish to form a
cooperative must register the location with the LCB. The location registered is
the only location where cooperative members may grow or process cannabis. The
following is required to register a cooperative:
(a) Submit a completed Cannabis Cooperative
Registration Form;
(b) Submit
copies of each person's recognition card who is seeking to be part of the
registered cooperative;
(c) Submit
a deed, lease, rental agreement, or other document establishing ownership or
control to the property where the cooperative is to be located. If the property
is leased or rented, a sworn statement from the property owner granting
permission to engage in a cooperative must also be submitted that includes a
telephone number and address where the owner can be contacted for
verification;
(d) Submit a sketch
outlining the location where the cannabis is planned to be grown.
(3) LCB will contact the primary
contact listed for each registered cooperative on an annual basis to ensure
validity of recognition cards and to confirm the status, whether active or
inactive, of the cooperative. If the LCB finds that the cooperative no longer
meets the criteria required under this section, the LCB may not renew the
cooperative registration.
(4) LCB
may inspect a cooperative between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. unless
otherwise agreed upon by cooperative members and LCB staff.
(5) If a person or persons seeking to
register the cooperative fails to meet the requirements of a registered
cooperative as provided in this section, the LCB will deny the cooperative
registration.
(6) If the LCB finds
a registered cooperative violated the requirements of this section, the LCB
will revoke the cooperative's registration.
(7) A person may request an administrative
hearing to contest a denial of registration, nonrenewal, or a revocation of a
cooperative's registration under this section as provided in chapter 34.05
RCW.
