Yakima's Cannabis Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles cannabis regulations a little differently. In Yakima, Washington, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Home Cultivation

Home cultivation of recreational cannabis is prohibited statewide in Washington under RCW 69.50 — Initiative 502 (2012) legalized purchase and possession but did NOT legalize personal grow. Yakima follows state law: no recreational home cultivation is permitted. The only legal home-grow path is for qualifying medical cannabis patients entered in the Washington State Department of Health Medical Cannabis Authorization Database under Chapter 69.51A RCW (SB 5052, 2015), and only within the strict plant-count limits set by the state.

Key details: Recreational Home Grow: Prohibited statewide — Chapter 69.50 RCW. Penalty (Recreational): Class C felony — up to 5 years and $10,000 (RCW 69.50.401). Medical Patient Limit: 6 plants / 8 oz useable (RCW 69.51A.210). Healthcare-Authorized Patient: Up to 15 plants — RCW 69.51A.210. Patient Cooperative Cap: 60 plants / 4 patients (RCW 69.51A.250).

Growing recreational cannabis at home in Yakima is a Class C felony under RCW 69.50.401, punishable by up to five years in state prison and a $10,000 fine. Plants are subject to seizure and destruction. Qualifying medical patients who exceed the six-plant limit (or fifteen plants where authorized) lose the affirmative defense under RCW 69.51A.045 and are charged under the same RCW 69.50.401 felony standard, with the excess plants and product seized. Co-op violations of RCW 69.51A.250 (unregistered cooperative, more than four members, more than 60 plants total, location outside the 1,000-foot buffer requirement) likewise drop the affirmative defense. Sale or distribution of any home-grown cannabis is a separate Class C felony under RCW 69.50.401.

This is one of the stricter rules in Yakima's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dispensary Zoning

The City of Yakima opted IN for licensed cannabis retail through Ordinances 2016-008, 2016-017 and 2016-018 — adopted in 2016 after Washington's Initiative 502 (2012) under RCW 69.50.331. Retail cannabis is regulated through YMC 15.09.220 (cannabis development standards) and the YMC 15.04.030 Table of Permitted Land Uses. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) allotted five retail licenses to the city. The Council also enacted 'license-restricted areas' that exclude all land zoned residential, Professional Office (B-1), Light Industrial (M-1), Heavy Industrial (M-2), and Airport Support (AS), and applied a 1,000-foot sensitive-use buffer.

Key details: Adopting Ordinances: Yakima 2016-008, 2016-017, 2016-018 (2016). Governing Code: YMC 15.09.220 + YMC 15.04.030 Table 4-1. Opt-In Authority: Initiative 502 / RCW 69.50.331. State Licensing: Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). Retail Allotment: 5 retail licenses to City of Yakima.

Operating a cannabis business without a WSLCB license, outside the zones identified in YMC 15.04.030 Table 4-1, or within the 1,000-foot sensitive-use buffer violates YMC 15.09.220 and Chapter 69.50 RCW. The city can issue a notice and order to cease, refuse or revoke the city business license, and pursue Municipal Court enforcement under YMC general-penalty provisions. The WSLCB can suspend or revoke the state license, impose administrative fines under WAC 314-55, and refer felony manufacture/distribution to the prosecutor under RCW 69.50.401. Operating in a residential, B-1, M-1, M-2, or AS zone is a per se violation of the city's license-restricted-area ordinance regardless of state-buffer compliance.

The Bottom Line

Yakima's cannabis regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Yakima is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Yakima can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.