Adults 21 and older may possess cannabis under Washington Initiative 502, but public consumption violates RCW 69.50.445 with civil infractions; King County Parks separately bans use in all parks and natural areas.
Washington legalized recreational cannabis in 2012 through Initiative 502, codified in RCW 69.50. Adults 21 and older may possess up to one ounce of usable cannabis. However, RCW 69.50.445 makes opening a package or consuming cannabis in view of the general public a class 3 civil infraction with a $103 fine. King County Parks prohibits cannabis use throughout its 200-plus parks and trails under departmental rules. Local cities, including Seattle, extend public-use bans to sidewalks, transit stops, beaches, and event venues with similar penalties.
Smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in public, in vehicles, or in parks can trigger a $103 civil infraction under RCW 69.50.445, plus separate park trespass enforcement and DUI exposure.
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See how King County's public marijuana use rules stack up against other locations.
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