WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
(January 16, 2023)

Monday January 16, 2023 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM Observed
Washington State House of Representatives Logo

The Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) is charged with considering issues relating to the regulation and taxation of alcohol, tobacco, vapor products and cannabis, as well as product safety and access, and issues relating to the regulation and oversight of gaming, including tribal compacts.

Executive Session

  • HB 1249 - "Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products." (added January 12th)
  • HB 1159 - "Allowing interstate cannabis agreements." (removed January 12th)

Observations

A bill expanding sales and possession limits for low-THC beverages got support from two industry stakeholders, but a consumer advocate dissented over suspected environmental implications.

Here are some observations from the Monday January 16th Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) Committee Meeting.

My top 3 takeaways:

  • Committee Counsel Peter Clodfelter briefed the committee on HB 1249, "Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products" (audio - 2m, video).
    • Clodfelter shared the bill analysis indicating the measure:
      • Authorizes cannabis retailers to sell additional amounts of certain cannabis-infused product[s] in liquid form to a retail customer in a single transaction.
      • Authorizes persons 21 years of age or older to possess and, subject to requirements in current law, to transfer additional amounts of certain cannabis-infused product in liquid form to another person or persons 21 years of age or older.
    • Telling the committee that infused beverages were one of four types of cannabis products authorized in law, Clodfelter said the bill would permit an additional possession limit of “200 milligrams (mg) of THC [tetrahydrocannabinol] within a cannabis-infused in liquid form to a retail customer if the product is package in units containing no more than 4 milligrams of THC per unit.” The bill further allowed transfer of half that amount “for non-commercial purposes” between adults, similar to the sharing provisions for other cannabis items, he added.
  • The prime sponsor and supportive testifiers argued that supporting lower concentration cannabis beverages was an innovation welcomed by both businesses and consumers.
    • Five individuals registered in support of the bill (testifying, not testifying).
    • Representative Chris Corry, the prime sponsor, told the committee the issue had been raised with him by a beverage maker in Yakima whose products had 2.5 mg of THC per unit. “And unfortunately, with the limit” on infused beverages “you can only buy a six-pack” for a total of 15 mg. The bill was about the “ability for [licensees] to be able to sell that in a single transaction…it's more or less the government catching up to the marketplace and us being responsive to what is out there and legally available for sale” (audio - 2m, video).
    • Washington CannaBusiness Association (WACA) Deputy Director Brooke Davies offered the group’s backing of the bill to change the "somewhat arbitrary" limits on infused beverage volume (audio - 2m, video).
    • Douglas Henderson, The Painted Rooster CEO, was a licensee who lobbied Corry for the change. He stated low concentration beverages were a market “innovation” and that an “important part of our market evolution is not just addressing the high THC products, but also understanding that many consumers do want low THC” (audio - 2m, video).

Engagement Options

In-Person

O'Brien Building, 15th Avenue Southwest, Olympia, WA, USA

Hearing Room E

Information Set