Washington state law prohibits home cultivation of cannabis for recreational use; only qualifying medical patients may grow at home, and Seattle enforces state law with no local opt-out or expansion.
Under Washington's Initiative 502 (now codified in RCW 69.50), recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21 and older to possess and purchase from licensed retailers, but home cultivation for recreational purposes remains illegal. Medical cannabis patients with a valid recognition card may grow up to 6 plants in their primary residence (or up to 15 with a physician's recommendation for higher amounts). Medical grows must occur in a locked space not visible to the public. Seattle police have adopted a de facto low-enforcement priority for small personal grows under the city's lowest law enforcement priority policy, but the activity remains technically illegal under state law. The city does not issue any permits or licenses for home cultivation.
Home cultivation of cannabis for recreational purposes is a violation of state law (RCW 69.50). While Seattle's enforcement priority is low for personal amounts, growing without medical authorization is a misdemeanor that can carry fines and potential jail time. Large-scale unauthorized grows can be prosecuted as felonies.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle home cultivation.
See how Seattle's home cultivation rules stack up against other locations.
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