Cannabis Sales Soar in Washington, Raising Concerns About Youth Access

Educators, police, and health experts grapple with the effects of legalization on adolescent cannabis use

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Despite strict regulations and compliance efforts by legal cannabis retailers in Washington, there are growing concerns about teenagers accessing the drug through indirect channels. While overall youth cannabis use has declined, some studies show potential health risks for young users, including decreased perceptual reasoning and increased anxiety. Prosecutors say cases of adults purchasing cannabis for minors are challenging to prosecute due to lack of evidence, even as the number of retail stores and total sales continue to rise dramatically.

Why it matters

The surge in legal cannabis sales in Washington since legalization in 2012 has sparked debates around the potential health impacts on young people. While the industry touts strict compliance measures, educators, police, and health experts say gaps remain in monitoring the effects and preventing underage access through secondary channels.

The details

Cannabis sales in Asotin County's three retail stores were four times higher in 2024 compared to the first full year of legal sales, after adjusting for inflation. Statewide sales rose by 87% over the same period. Despite retailers complying with the ban on sales to those under 21, Lewiston and Clarkston police believe teenagers are still obtaining cannabis, either by having adults purchase it for them or by stealing it from relatives and friends. Prosecutors say cases against adults buying for minors are difficult to prosecute due to lack of evidence. Meanwhile, the stores are located within walking distance of a high school, and teenagers reportedly browse products online before requesting specific items from adult purchasers.

  • Cannabis was legalized in Washington in 2012.
  • Asotin County's three retail cannabis stores saw a four-fold increase in sales between the first full year of legal sales and 2024, after adjusting for inflation.
  • Statewide cannabis sales in Washington rose by 87% between the first full year of legal sales and 2024.

The players

Curt Liedkie

Asotin County Prosecutor, who says prosecutions for adults purchasing cannabis for minors are infrequent, likely between six to 12 cases since 2000, due to the difficulty in obtaining evidence.

Matt Plemmons

Owner of Greenfield Cannabis in Clarkston, who believes legalization has made cannabis safer for youth by creating a highly regulated market with strict ID checks, in contrast to the unregulated illicit market.

Caden Massey

Coordinator of Clarkston EPIC (Empowering People Inspiring Change), a Washington state-funded program that has made signs warning of the penalties for adults purchasing cannabis for minors.

Clarkston High School student

A student who says teenagers who haven't used cannabis themselves will browse the online menus of retail stores and then tell adults what specific products they want.

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What they’re saying

“Legalization has made it safer. We developed a highly, strictly regulated market that checks everybody's IDs, every time, no matter what. Illicit dealers did not check. They didn't care if you were not 21 years old.”

— Matt Plemmons, Owner, Greenfield Cannabis

“I know people who have purchased weed for younger people, and their perception is 'Nothing is going to happen. I'm of legal age.'”

— Caden Massey, Coordinator, Clarkston EPIC

What’s next

Prosecutors in Asotin County say they will continue to take cases of adults purchasing cannabis for minors seriously, despite the challenges in obtaining evidence. Educators and community groups like Clarkston EPIC plan to maintain efforts to educate youth and prevent underage access.

The takeaway

The rapid growth of the legal cannabis industry in Washington has created new challenges in monitoring and preventing youth access, even as the industry touts its compliance measures. This highlights the need for a collaborative approach between retailers, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations to address the potential health risks for adolescents.