Washington State Will Eliminate Medical Marijuana Tax 'Discrimination That Harms' Patients' Health

Washington lawmakers recently approved a bill that would eliminate excise taxes on medical marijuana products, reported Forbes. 

First introduced last year, HB 1453, provides a tax exemption to "qualifying patients and designated providers who hold a recognition card, from the 37 percent cannabis excise tax, on their purchases of cannabis products that are labeled as a Department of Health (DOH) compliant product and tested in accordance with the DOH’s rules."

The Seattle law firm Harris Sliwoski, which first reported on the bill explained that "Adding a tax aimed at recreational sales on top of that makes it even more unaffordable for many patients who are already struggling financially. This can force them to reduce their dosage, switch to cheaper but less effective products, or even turn to the recreational market which does not have the same DOH requirements and compliance standards. Taxing medical cannabis patients the same as recreational consumers is a form of discrimination that harms their health and well-being. It also goes against the principle of harm reduction, which is one basis of medical cannabis legalization policy."

The bill passed the House with strong support and is now heading to Governor Jay Inslee's (D) desk. 

If the governor signs the bill, medical marijuana patients and designated providers will be granted an exemption from the 37% excise tax until June 30, 2029. Washington's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee is required to evaluate changes in the number of patients or providers, variations in the types and sales of tax-exempt products, and other important details. They should provide the report on the matter to the legislature by December 1, 2028. 

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