In Seattle, the only legal place to use cannabis is private property where the owner allows it. Opening or using cannabis in view of the public or in a public place — parks, beaches, sidewalks, bus stops, transit and bar patios — is a civil infraction under Washington law (RCW 69.50.445), and Washington has no licensed consumption lounges.
Places Where Using Cannabis Is Not Allowed
- Seattle parks and beaches, including Alki Beach, Golden Gardens, Gas Works Park, Cal Anderson Park and Green Lake
- Sidewalks, streets, bus stops, light rail stations and transit vehicles
- Bars, restaurants, patios and other businesses open to the public
- Inside or outside licensed dispensaries — the state bars consumption on licensed premises
- Cars on public roads, even when parked (see below)
- Stadiums, concert venues and Seattle Center grounds
- Federal property, including national parks and federal buildings, where cannabis remains illegal under federal law
Where You Can Use Cannabis
Your own home, or another private residence where the owner or landlord allows it. Many Seattle apartment leases, condo associations, hotels and short-term rentals ban smoking indoors and on balconies, so check the rules first; edibles are often the easier option when smoke is not allowed.
Cannabis in Cars
Washington treats an opened cannabis package in a vehicle’s passenger area as a traffic infraction, so keep anything that has been opened in the trunk — the glove compartment does not count. Using cannabis in a car on a public road is also illegal, and driving after using cannabis can bring a DUI: the state’s per se limit is 5 nanograms per milliliter of active THC, and officers can arrest for impairment below that level.
What Happens If You're Caught Using Cannabis in Public?
Public use is a class 3 civil infraction, the lowest category of civil infraction in Washington — a fine, not a criminal charge, for adults 21 and over. Using cannabis on federal land, possessing more than the legal amount, or using it while under 21 can bring more serious consequences.
Are There Cannabis Lounges in Seattle?
No. Washington has not licensed any cannabis lounges or consumption events; a 2026 bill to create consumption-event licenses did not pass. See our guide to cannabis lounges in Seattle.
Find a Licensed Dispensary
Ready to buy? Browse all licensed Seattle dispensaries, or start with a neighborhood: downtown and Belltown, Capitol Hill or SoDo.
Smoking Weed in Seattle FAQ
Is it legal to smoke weed in public in Seattle?
No. Opening or consuming cannabis in view of the public or in a public place is a class 3 civil infraction under RCW 69.50.445.
Can I smoke weed in Seattle parks?
No. Seattle parks and beaches are public places, so using cannabis there is a civil infraction.
Can you smoke weed on your balcony in Seattle?
State law does not treat a private balcony as a public place, but many leases, condo rules and hotels prohibit smoking on balconies. Check your building's rules.
Is it illegal to have open weed in your car in Washington?
Yes. An opened cannabis package in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public road is a traffic infraction; keep opened products in the trunk.
Where can tourists smoke weed in Seattle?
Only on private property where the owner allows it. Many hotels and rentals ban smoking, so tourists often choose edibles or look for accommodations that permit cannabis use.
Store hours, ratings and details were checked against state license records and each store’s Google Business Profile on October 12, 2026. Featured placements, where shown, are paid and labelled. Corrections: contact us.