MARIJUANA AND E-CIGARETTES:
FACTS TEENS CAN USE TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES
How well do you know the laws?
1.
What is the legal age for people to be able to use retail
marijuana in Washington state?
a.
18
c. 20
b.
19
d. 21
2.
What is the legal age for people to be able to buy retail
marijuana in Washington state?
a.
18
c. 20
b.
19
d. 21
3.
Is it legal for marijuana advertisers to have advertisements
(signs, billboards, etc.) within 1000 feet of your school
(about the length of 3 football fields away)?
a.
Yes
b. No
4. If I am 18, can I go into a marijuana store with my older
friend, sibling or parents?
a.
Yes
b. No
5.
I see a lot of people smoking marijuana and eating marijuana
“edibles” around my school/neighborhood. Is it legal to
do this?
a.
Yes
b. No
6. If I am under 21, can I use a vaping pen to consume
marijuana? Is this legal?
a.
Yes
b. No
7.
I know marijuana edibles might give someone a delayed
high. Can I drive before the pot takes effect?
a.
Yes
b. No
8.
My friend sells marijuana. What are some possible risks if she
gets caught? Circle all that apply.
a.
No risks since marijuana is legal in Washington state
b.
Monetary fine
c.
Jail time
d.
Loss of driver’s license
9. A senior at my school is hosting a party, along with his
parents, and they are planning to serve marijuana. Can the
parents do that?
a.
Yes, it is their private home
b.
No, this is not acceptable nor legal
10. Can I get kicked out of school for using marijuana,
even once?
a.
Yes
b. No
11. Is smoking/using marijuana really harmful?
a. Yes
b. No
12. What is the legal age for people to be able to buy
e-cigarettes in Washington state?
a. 18
c. 20
b. 19
d. 21
13. True or False? E-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes.
a. True
b. False
Answers
(Please note: The answers provide are not intended to constitute legal advice. You are encouraged to
research the laws or consult an attorney.)
1.
d.
The legal age for people to be able to use marijuana in Washington state is 21, same as alcohol
(RCW 69.50.4013(4)). There are specific exceptions for people with medical conditions identified in
Washington law, who have a legal medical card.
2.
d. Individuals who are 21 years of age or older may purchase marijuana in Washington state in a retail store.
Sale by anyone outside of these stores is still illegal (RCW 69.50.401(1); RCW 69.50.4013(3)(a), (4);
RCW 69.50.354).
3.
b. No. This is a violation of the state’s rules, not only for advertisements within 1000 feet of schools, but also
child care centers, playgrounds and other types of locations where youth are present (WAC 314-5-155).
Marijuana is big business. Check out the rules for advertising here:
_
advertising.
4.
b. People under 21 cannot go into a retail marijuana store (unless they have a medical card
(RCW 69.50.357(2))).
5.
b.
It’s not legal to consume marijuana products in view of the public and it is never legal for those under 21
use/consume retail marijuana, whether smoked products, vaped products, or edibles (RCW 69.50.445(1)).
6.
b.
Any type of marijuana is illegal for people under 21 to possess or consume unless they have a medical card
(RCW 69.50.4013(4)).
7.
b. It is illegal for any person to drive in the state of Washington with a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher
within two hours of driving (RCW 46.61.502(1)(b)). It is also illegal to drive while “under the influence” of a
controlled substance (RCW 46.61.502 (c ), combination thereof at (d)), or any combination of controlled
substances. Any level of THC can be used as evidence of impaired driving. It is a misdemeanor for a minor
to drive with more than 0.00, an offense that is called “driver under twenty-one consuming alcohol or
marijuana.” Different bodies react differently to THC, and products are not all uniformly made (some
products may have higher THC than their label indicates). So driving by anyone after using is neither safe
nor legal, and if you kill or hurt someone, Vehicular Homicide (RCW 46.61.520(1)(a) penalty at (2)) is a class
A felony (up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine), and Vehicular Assault is a class B felony (up to 10 years in
prison and a $20,000 fine.). Youth who drive under the influence of any drug, including alcohol or marijuana
(RCW 46.61.503(b)(ii)), risk hurting themselves and others, and facing the following:
•
Losing their driver’s license for up to 2 years (1 year or until the person reaches 17 years old for the
first offense; or up to age 18 or 1 year for the second offense);
•
Being convicted of a gross misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances (with possible jail
time, fine and felony on your record that can affect college financial aid and job applications).
8.
b. c. and d.
Teens can be convicted of a Class C felony for selling marijuana (RCW 69.50.401(2)( c)) and can face
possible jail time, fine and felony on your record that can affect college financial aid and job applications.
Selling marijuana is a serious offense. It is illegal for anyone to sell marijuana unless they have a retail
marijuana store business license. Shutting down the illegal market so that people don’t get hurt in the drug
trade (all along the supply chain) is one reason that marijuana is legal for adults to buy from licensed stores
in Washington. Some schools’ athletic policies ban kids from participating on teams or competing if they
are caught using or selling drugs, including marijuana.
9.
b. It is illegal to serve marijuana (or alcohol) to minors (RCW 69.50.401). It is a felony to provide marijuana to
minors. Using at private parties is not legal for teens since teens are not legally allowed to use. Research
shows that kids are less likely to use marijuana who believe that their parents think that its wrong for them
to use it.
10.
a. Yes. Some schools have zero-tolerance policies for marijuana and other drugs. If you are using frequently,
you may be dependent upon marijuana. Some schools also have referral programs to help teens get help.
Check with your school health center or guidance counselor, or connect with the Teen Link for confidential
help so you don’t face an unwanted consequence. Contact Teen Link at
1-866-TEENLINK
(|-866-833-6546),
(also see resource list on last page).
11. a. Marijuana can affect learning and memory and cause distorted perception, difficulty in thinking,
problem-solving, and coordination.
12. a. The legal age to purchase e-cigarettes (without marijuana) in Washington state is 18 years of age or older
(RCW 26.28.080).
13. Gotcha! We don’t know if they are or not and neither do the e-cigarette marketers—no one does.
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