Mother sues Gov. Inslee over cannabis advertising laws

SEATTLE — Washington state resident Meagan Holt is suing Gov. Jay Inslee over what she alleges are unconstitutional restrictions on cannabis that have prevented her from getting proper medication for her daughter.

The lawsuit claims that Washington’s advertising restrictions unconstitutionally prevent Holt’s and her daughter Maddie’s right to freely hear communications about cannabis medication.

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Maddie is diagnosed with Zellweger syndrome, a rare congenital disorder, and suffers from seizures that have left her blind, deaf and terminally ill.

Washington state first legalized recreational marijuana for adults over 21 back in 2012 with I502, taxing it and designating the revenue for health care and substance abuse prevention. In 2017, the Legislature placed new regulations on cannabis businesses for the third time since I502 passed, this time focusing on advertisements.

Inslee signed the new advertising restrictions into law in May 2017 and they became effective in July 2017. Since then, the board has found multiple violations of the advertising regulations.

Holt’s lawsuit alleges that the new restrictions, in conjunction with existing policies from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, have created a situation that has made it impossible for her to procure a reliable, legal source of medicine for her daughter. The suit contends they punish patients who require more detailed advertising to make important medical decisions.

Cox Media Group