A group of veterans and supporters march from the steps of the Legislative Building for a Twenty22Many rally on July 22, 2015, in Olympia, Wash. The group marched to promote reducing suicide rates among military veterans with help from medical marijuana. Starting July 24, post-traumatic stress disorder is now a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Washington. (Steve Bloom, The Olympian via AP)

New changes in effect July 24 for Washington state medical marijuana

Published: • Updated:

By The Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Changes to Washington’s medical marijuana program take effect on Friday.

The Columbian reports that the changes are part of an overhaul recently approved by lawmakers.

Washington news

Uniting for a cause: Washington state veterans seeking to reduce suicide rates have formed support group to promote medical pot

New regulations for dispensaries: Washington state cracking down on unlicensed medical marijuana stores

One year in: $70 million in pot taxes and other lessons from Washington

NEW: Get podcasts of The Cannabist Show.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
Watch The Cannabist Show.

Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries will now be considered qualifying conditions for patients hoping to receive a medical marijuana card.

Senate Bill 5052 was signed into law in April. Its goal was to align the state’s medical and recreational marijuana systems to ensure the drug is delivered in a safe, regulated manner.

One controversial portion of the bill is the medical marijuana database. Although it’s voluntary, those who don’t register won’t benefit from the same tax breaks and wouldn’t be able to possess or grow the same amount of marijuana.

Another change limits the number of plants that can be grown in a household to 15.
___

Information from: The Columbian