Besides it being illegal to buy cannabis and/or cannabis products from an unlicensed seller, a primary consideration is that buying legal means the cannabis and cannabis products are held to quality standards.
Here are a few reasons to buy cannabis from a licensed retailer:
Producing and Processing
Production and processing standards are established to protect workers and consumers by ensuring that products are made in proper commercial or industrial facilities. This not only ensures a safer environment for workers, it helps prevent product contamination and other risks to your health.
Testing
- Cannabis sold in licenses stores must be tested by a licensed laboratory before it can be sold.
- THC levels are verified in the required lab testing. Cannabis obtained from illegal sources is not required to be tested or accurately labeled.
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Tests determine the cannabinoid profile as well as whether there are unacceptable levels of harmful elements, such as pesticides, foreign matter, mycotoxins, and residual solvents.
Labeling
- Label requirements were established so you know what you are buying – including the THC concentration of the product, ingredients used in edible products, and any food allergens that may be present.
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Other substances (which may be harmful) may be added without the consumer’s knowledge, which affect the integrity of the product and can result in false and misleading labeling.
Preventing Youth Access and Child Poisoning
Packaging may not be child-resistant, increasing the likelihood of accidental ingestion by children or pets.
Convenience
Stores have consistent hours, clear prices, and often a consistent variety of product types.
Community Benefits
- Tax revenues from licenses businesses fund a wide range of services and programs, including Basic Health funds, cannabis research, substance misuse prevention, reduction, treatment and education programs, and local governments, to name a few.
- The regulated industry provides many good jobs within the state.
Hammond D, Corsetti D, Fataar F, Iraniparast M, Danh Hong D, Burkhalter R. International Cannabis Policy Study – Washington 2022 Summary. May 2023