Sammamish, WA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SMC 7A.05.060
- Method
- Adopts RCW 69.50.445 by reference
- Penalty class
- Civil infraction, Ch. 7.80 RCW
- Compare
- Alcohol violations are criminal misdemeanors
- Applies in
- Parks, trails, open space, marine areas
- Auto-updates
- Yes, "as subsequently amended"
Summary
Sammamish doesn't write its own marijuana-use ban for parks; instead SMC 7A.05.060 adopts state law by reference, incorporating "RCW 69.50.445... now in effect and as subsequently amended," so police and park rangers enforce the state civil infraction directly on City open space, trails, and facilities.
The following statute of the state of Washington is adopted by reference, now in effect and as subsequently amended: RCW 69.50.445.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance O2026-598, and legislation passed through August 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
41 RCW by reference. Practically, that means Sammamish police and park rangers enforce marijuana-use violations in City open space, trails, park facilities, and marine areas using the state statute's own terms and its own penalty class, rather than a separately written City infraction. 80 RCW, meaning a monetary penalty rather than a criminal charge. Because Sammamish adopted the statute "as subsequently amended," any future state-level revision to the public-consumption rule applies automatically inside Sammamish parks without a separate City ordinance amendment. 020), so a single park visit can implicate a locally written alcohol violation classed as a criminal misdemeanor and a state-referenced marijuana violation classed as a civil infraction, side by side, under the same chapter.
Violations & Fines
Opening or consuming marijuana in view of the public in a Sammamish park, trail, open space, or marine area is enforced under the state civil infraction adopted by SMC 7A.05.060 (RCW 69.50.445), a civil penalty rather than a criminal misdemeanor. Any future amendment to the state statute applies automatically in City parks without a new local ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke or consume marijuana in a Sammamish city park?
Is a marijuana-use violation in a Sammamish park a criminal charge?
Why doesn't Sammamish have its own marijuana ordinance for parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sammamish
Compare Sammamish to another location·View the Washington public conduct overview
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Public Marijuana Use in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle public marijuana use.