WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(February 3, 2024)

Saturday February 3, 2024 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Observed
Washington State House of Representatives Logo

The Washington State House Appropriations Committee (WA House APP) considers the operating budget bill and related legislation, budget processes, and fiscal issues such as pension policy and compensation. The committee also considers bills with operating budget fiscal impacts.

Executive Session

  • HB 1650 - “Requiring voter approval for local government prohibitions on cannabis businesses.” (not considered)
  • HB 2151 - “Reassigning the accreditation of private cannabis testing laboratories from the department of ecology to the department of agriculture.”

Public Hearing

  • HB 2320 - “Concerning high THC cannabis products.” (added February 2)

Observations

A bill requiring development of training, mandatory signage, and medical interventions related to “high THC” cannabis was considered, and subsequently recommended, by a fiscal committee.

Here are some observations from the Saturday February 3rd Washington State House Appropriations Committee (WA House APP) Committee Meeting.

My top 4 takeaways:

  • Staff went over the substitute version of HB 2320,“Concerning high THC [tetrahydrocannabinol] cannabis products.”
    • HB 2320 was first heard by the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) on January 16th. During a January 29th executive session, members incorporated a proposed substitute and recommended passage of the legislation.
    • At the WA House APP hearing, WA House RSG Counsel Peter Clodfelter briefed from the bill language, commenting it “contains three components in the bill”  (audio - 2m, video):
      • “First, by July 1st of 2025 the Department of Health would be required to consult with a number of people…and develop optional training that cannabis retail staff may complete to better understand the health and safety impacts of high THC cannabis products.
      • “Second, by December 31st of 2024, licensed cannabis retailers would be required to post a conspicuous notice at the point of sale in retail outlets…to include at a minimum information about the potential health risks and adverse health impacts that may be associated with consuming high THC cannabis, the potentially much higher risk that may be present for younger people under age 25 as well as for people at risk for developing certain mental health conditions or psychotic disorders, or who have those, and also information about where to find help in case of negative effects as well as resources for quitting or reducing cannabis consumption.
      • “The third and final component of the bill is subject to appropriation. It's a directive to the Health Care Authority to contract with an entity to develop, implement, test guidance and health interventions for healthcare providers and patients who are at risk for developing serious complications due to cannabis consumption, and who are seeking care in…behavioral health settings. And [the] guidance would be used, also, by state poison control and recovery hotlines to promote cannabis…use reduction and cessation, and there’d be three different reports required under that Health Care Authority provision.”
    • WA House APP Fiscal Analyst Lily Smith then spoke to the fiscal note, indicating that the “note on the substitute [was] not yet available. I expect the total cost impacts from the sub to be roughly the same…although they will shift between agencies” (audio - 2m, video).
      • “Cost estimates relate[d] to the development and implementation of guidance and health interventions…subject to appropriation will shift in the sub from the University of Washington to the Health Care Authority and increase about $100,000 over the UW’s earlier estimate.
      • “Preliminary estimates…for this work are between $300[,000] and $700,000 General Fund-State (GF-S) for fiscal year 2025 depending on how quickly the RFP [request for proposals] process is complete.
      • $750,000 per fiscal year through 2028 dropping to about half of that for 2029. The Health Care Authority’s estimate includes a FTE [full time equivalent] for contract administration, data gathering, and the reporting requirements.
      • “The Department of Health estimated costs of $150,000 general funds state for fiscal year 2025, and $420,000 through the outlook…for the development of training which assumes that the department would be hiring [one] FTE to create a statewide retailer education program. The bill does not specify the form or the delivery of the training [and it could be] an online module with possible but significantly lower ongoing costs for the updates. The department would likely increase its estimate under the sub for the development of the notice for retailers, although I expect this cost to be fairly minimal.
      • “Costs identified in the original fiscal note for the Liquor and Cannabis Board and also that for the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs would be eliminated by the substitute.”

Information Set

Segment - 01 - HB 2320 - Public Hearing (10s) InfoSet ]
Segment - 02 - HB 2320 - Public Hearing - Staff Briefing - Peter Clodfelter (1m 46s) InfoSet ]
Segment - 03 - HB 2320 - Public Hearing - Staff Briefing - Lily Smith (1m 40s) InfoSet ]
Segment - 04 - HB 2320 - Public Hearing - Introduction - Lauren Davis (1m 16s) InfoSet ]
Segment - 05 - HB 2320 - Public Hearing - Testimony (5s) InfoSet ]
Segment - 06 - HB 2320 - Public Hearing - Testimony - Scott Waller (18s) InfoSet ]

Engagement Options

In-Person

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

Hearing Room A

Information Set