2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 69.51A.010: Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Medical use of marijuana" means the production, possession, or administration of marijuana, as defined in RCW 69.50.101(q), for the exclusive benefit of a qualifying patient in the treatment of his or her terminal or debilitating illness.

     (2) "Primary caregiver" means a person who:

     (a) Is eighteen years of age or older;

     (b) Is responsible for the housing, health, or care of the patient;

     (c) Has been designated in writing by a patient to perform the duties of primary caregiver under this chapter.

     (3) "Qualifying patient" means a person who:

     (a) Is a patient of a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW;

     (b) Has been diagnosed by that physician as having a terminal or debilitating medical condition;

     (c) Is a resident of the state of Washington at the time of such diagnosis;

     (d) Has been advised by that physician about the risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana; and

     (e) Has been advised by that physician that they may benefit from the medical use of marijuana.

     (4) "Terminal or debilitating medical condition" means:

     (a) Cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or spasticity disorders; or

     (b) Intractable pain, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean pain unrelieved by standard medical treatments and medications; or

     (c) Glaucoma, either acute or chronic, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications; or

     (d) Any other medical condition duly approved by the Washington state medical quality assurance board [commission] as directed in this chapter.

     (5) "Valid documentation" means:

     (a) A statement signed by a qualifying patient's physician, or a copy of the qualifying patient's pertinent medical records, which states that, in the physician's professional opinion, the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks for a particular qualifying patient; and

     (b) Proof of identity such as a Washington state driver's license or identicard, as defined in RCW 46.20.035.

[1999 c 2 § 6 (Initiative Measure No. 692, approved November 3, 1998).]