Bellingham, WA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

080(A) prohibits opening a package containing marijuana or a marijuana-infused product, or consuming or using marijuana or a marijuana-infused product, in a place open to the view of the general public. 070. 3 percent on a dry-weight basis, and "marijuana-infused products" as products containing marijuana or marijuana extracts intended for human consumption (excluding useable marijuana itself). "Public place" is defined broadly to include streets and alleys, publicly owned parks and playgrounds, transit depots, and any business premises generally open to and used by the public.

Because this is a civil infraction rather than a criminal charge, no arrest or jail time attaches to a first violation; enforcement runs through the Bellingham Police Department and Whatcom County District Court, the venue for city civil infractions. 020, which makes possessing more than 40 grams of marijuana (or any amount by someone under 21) a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum 24-hour jail term and a $250 minimum fine. The public-consumption rule was added by Ord. 2012-12-063 § 3, enacted after Washington voters legalized recreational marijuana under I-502, and it has not been amended since.