In order to insure a safe and consistent supply of life-saving medicine while also complying with reasonable public safety concerns, medical marijuana garden groups are advised to follow the general guidelines set herein.

1. All members of a cultivation collective must be WA State residents.  Minors must have consent of parent or guardian to participate in the use of medical marijuana.

2. All members must have physician recommendations on file with the collective. Designated Providers must also provide written authorization from their designated patient to be kept on file with the collective.

3. All medical and administrative documents must be held confidential, unless said documents are requested by law enforcement officers conducting an investigation of the collective.

4. All medicine allocated through a cultivation collective must be consumed within WA State.

5. Records of medicine allocations must be maintained for a period of three months following any transaction.

6. Group gardens must post valid documentation, including physician recommendations, in accordance with the number of plants possessed in any location, in a ratio that conforms with the Department of Health Guidelines of 15 plants and 24 ounces of dried medicine per patient.

7. Collectives are generally administered by patients and for patients, with the greatest concern for the health and well-being of the patient membership on a not-for-profit basis, where patients obtain the highest quality medicine at the lowest cost possible.  (IRS determination of nonprofit status is not required.)

8. Collective cultivation represents a closed network of production and access that prohibits diversion or distribution to or from non-medical sources or recipients. Collectives must maintain the legitimacy of their operations and membership.  The following guidelines are intended to prevent diversion to non-medical users. 

Collectives must:

1. Verify the individual’s status as a qualified patient or primary caregiver.  This should involve personal contact with the recommending physician (or his or her agent), verification of the physician’s identity, as well as his or her state licensing status. Verification of Designated Provider status should include contact with the qualified patient, as well as validation of the patient’s recommendation. Copies should be made of the physician’s recommendation and/or identification card, if any;
2. Have the individual agree not to distribute marijuana to non-members;
3. Have the individual agree not to use the marijuana for other than medical purposes;
4. Maintain membership records on-site or have them reasonably available;
5. Track expiration dates on members’ medical marijuana recommendation and/or identification cards; and
6. Enforce conditions of membership by excluding members whose identification card or physician recommendation are invalid or have expired, or who are caught diverting marijuana for non-medical use.

1. provided free to qualified members;
2. provided in exchange for services rendered to the collective;
3. allocated based on fees that are reasonably calculated to cover overhead costs and operating expenses; or
4. any combination of the above.

QUALITY STANDARDS

Medical Grade cannabis is of a much higher quality than the non-medical marijuana sold illegally.  Aside from potency, the purity of the medicine is of utmost importance.  The use of potential adulterants and synthetic pesticides may present significant health hazards with repeated use.  Producers are expected to be scrupulous in researching all constituents and practices that may have an impact on patient health.  In general, organic fertilization and organic pest-control products are the preferred standard.  Mold and unsanitary conditions may have an adverse impact on patient health, particularly for those with an impaired immune system.   

Additional guidelines for medical cannabis collectives are currently under development among the established leaders of the medical marijuana movement in Seattle, King County and other areas of Washington State.