Last verified: March 2026

Recreational Possession Limits

Under RCW 69.50, adults 21 and older may possess the following amounts of cannabis purchased from a WSLCB-licensed retail store:

These limits apply to the total amount you may possess at any one time, regardless of where you purchased it or how many stores you visited.

Adults 21 and older may possess up to one ounce of usable cannabis, seven grams of cannabis concentrates, sixteen ounces of cannabis-infused product in solid form, or seventy-two ounces of cannabis-infused product in liquid form.

RCW 69.50 — Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Medical Patient Possession Limits

Washington's medical program offers significantly higher limits, but the amount depends on whether you have just an authorization or a full recognition card:

The recognition card provides 3x the recreational limits across all product categories. Patients with authorization only are limited to the same amounts as recreational consumers, though they gain limited home cultivation rights (4 plants). For a full explanation of the authorization vs. recognition card distinction, see our Medical Program page.

Edible Limits

In addition to the possession limits by weight, Washington regulates edible cannabis products with dosage caps:

• 10 mg of THC per serving (per individual piece or unit)
• 100 mg of THC per package (maximum)

All edible products sold at licensed retailers must be lab-tested, properly labeled with THC content per serving, and packaged in child-resistant containers. These packaging rules apply to both recreational and medical products.

Wondering how strong a 10mg edible actually is? See Dosing Fundamentals on TryCannabis.org for guidance on finding your ideal dose.

What Counts as "Concentrate"?

The 7g concentrate limit (21g for medical recognition card holders) applies to any product made by extracting cannabinoids from plant material, including:

• Wax, shatter, and budder
• Live resin and live rosin
• Distillate and hash oil
• Hash and kief
• Vape cartridges containing cannabis oil

Pre-filled vape cartridges count toward your concentrate limit based on the weight of the oil inside the cartridge.

What Happens If You Exceed the Limits?

Possessing more cannabis than the legal limit can result in criminal charges. Washington's penalties escalate based on the amount and whether the offense is a first-time violation:

• Possession of amounts slightly over the limit may result in a misdemeanor
• Possession of significantly larger quantities can be charged as a felony under RCW 69.50
• Penalties double within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, public housing, and public transit stops

For a complete breakdown of penalties, see our Penalties page.

Purchasing Limits vs. Possession Limits

In Washington, the possession limits function as the effective purchase limits. Retailers will not sell you more than the legal possession limit in a single transaction. Unlike some states, Washington does not use a centralized tracking system that monitors purchases across multiple stores in a single day — the limits are enforced at the point of sale per transaction.

Official Sources

• RCW 69.50 — Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• RCW 69.51A — Medical Cannabis
• Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
• Washington DOH — Medical Cannabis