Traveling with Weed in Washington: What You Need to Know

With the weather improving and more vaccines rolling out across the state, it’s only natural that people are looking to get out more and travel. Recreational weed in the state has made it easy to take your adventures to the next level, but that doesn’t mean anything goes. Do you know the rules for traveling with weed in Washington? 

May 25, 2021

If you don’t, you could end up breaking a law without even knowing. It’s why it’s so important to stay up to date with the rules and restrictions surrounding cannabis in the state. 

We’ll fill you in on everything you need to know so you can stay compliant, and high, in Washington state. 

Treat it like alcohol: no open containers

Much like alcohol, it is illegal to travel with open containers of marijuana in your car. The following actions are prohibited in Washington state:

• Traveling with marijuana in a motor vehicle on a highway
• Consuming marijuana (no matter the consumption method) in a motor vehicle on a public highway
• Storing marijuana in a container labeled something else in a motor vehicle (whether the intent is to deceive or not)

So how are you supposed to get your weed from one place to the next if you can’t carry it in your car? What if you want to bring some weed over to a friend’s place for the night, but you already opened the package on another occasion?

You’re not out of luck. There are exceptions to the rule that make traveling with marijuana in Washington acceptable. 

Exceptions to the rule

Again, much like alcohol, there are ways to travel with open containers and still be compliant with the law. 

The only acceptable place to store an open container of marijuana is in the trunk of your motor vehicle. Don’t have a trunk? The alternative is to store it in a place that is not occupied by a driver or passengers. Storing in the glove or utility compartments is not allowed because these areas are technically occupied by drivers and passengers. 

Additionally, it is okay to travel with unopened containers of marijuana in your motor vehicle. It must be clearly unopened, with no broken seal or contents removed. 

Never cross state lines 

Even if you have purchased your cannabis legally in Washington and are traveling to a state that also has legal cannabis, it is never okay to cross state lines with marijuana in your car. 

So if you’re planning to go camping in Oregon, you can’t stock up at our Seattle dispensary and carry it in your trunk all the way to the next state. Instead, you’ll have to wait until you arrive in Oregon to purchase weed within the specific state. 

While this may be frustrating for some, keep in mind that cannabis is still illegal on a federal level. As such, being caught crossing state lines with cannabis may open you to federal charges. 

What are the penalties?

It is a traffic violation if you are caught with an open container of marijuana in your motor vehicle while traveling within the state. Those convicted of traffic violations related to open marijuana containers are subject to a maximum $250 fine along with fees. 

Now, if you are caught driving under the influence of marijuana, that is a whole different story. Anyone caught with more than 5 nanograms of active THC in their system may be significantly penalized. 

Open campsites for travel destinations

Now that you’re aware of how to travel with weed in Washington, you can stock up and hit the open road. Just remember to store your cannabis properly to avoid any issues. 

Keep the other Washington marijuana laws in mind, as well. It’s always illegal to consume marijuana in view of the public, as well as on federal land. Know the law before you consume. 

Riverside State Park 

Looking to camp somewhere nearby after stocking up at our Spokane dispensary? Try Riverside State Park! This 9,000-acre park sits along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers, making for a gorgeous campsite with endless activities. 

You can hike, mountain bike, paddle, boat, and do many other activities at this state park. Equestrians will even find a horse-friendly campground to accommodate their needs. 

Whether you want to spend the day active and adventurously or just kick back and enjoy the view, there’s something for everyone at Riverside State Park! 

Larrabee State Park 

You don’t have to travel far from our Bellingham dispensary to reach gorgeous views and a wonderful campsite. Just outside of Bellingham is Larrabee State Park, a beautiful space set on Chuckanut mountain. 

Enjoy views of the San Juans and Samish Bay, along with all of the activities the area has to offer. There are plenty of opportunities to fish, hike, shellfish harvest, and more at this park.

The park itself is 2,748 acres, which includes 8,100 feet of saltwater shoreline. It’s a picturesque place to watch trains go by and soak up the seaside views. The campground also offers restrooms and showers for campers. 

Middle Fork Campground

If you’re located near our Seattle pot shop and want to camp relatively nearby, check out Middle Fork Campground. 

It’s located near beautiful North Bend and provides many fun activities for solo and group campers alike. There are several hiking trails nearby for those looking to venture outside of the campground. This space is rather secluded, making it a perfect campsite for those seeking solitude and relaxation on their camping trip. 

Best Cannabis Deals For Camping

Save money and have fun at the same time! We’ve compiled a list of some of best deals to help you enjoy your summer!

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Final thoughts on traveling with weed 

It’s easy to forget all of the rules related to legal cannabis in the state, especially since we’ve had access to the plant for a while now. We hope that we’ve helped you brush up on the dos and don’ts of traveling with weed in Washington so your next trip is both safe and fun without any trouble. 

Don’t forget to stop by Piece of Mind Cannabis for all of the best products. We’ve got concentrates, flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, edibles, and more! 

Piece of Mind Cannabis is a medical marijuana and recreational Cannabis dispensary with locations in North Spokane, South Spokane, Seattle, Bellingham, Pullman and Anchorage!

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