USA - Washington

In the final week before the first policy committee cutoff, quite a few cannabis bills were positioned for late hearings and last minute executive sessions before Friday.

The sponsor made reasoned arguments for producer-led cannabis research, but industry members were divided over whether the time was right for a cannabis commodity commission.

Feedback on a bill to legalize out-of-state cannabis license ownership was divided: some companies anticipated benefits while others viewed the move as only helping larger entities.

After granting themselves additional time before the house of origin policy committee cutoff on Friday, legislators still had lots of work to do - and many cannabis bills would be left behind.

Senators heard mixed testimony after mixing the hearings on two very different bills, home grow encountered a hitch in the House, and the WRAP Act would be unwrapped in Appropriations.

A public hearing on cannabinoid legislation had a mix of support from public officials and prevention groups, as well as opposition/other remarks from hemp and cannabis interests.

Senators advanced two cannabis bills, schedules for the following week were published, a new bill would be introduced, and legislators would convene on Thursday for hearings and action.

Representatives heard the WSLCB THC bill, a technical corrections bill was readied for the opposite house, and a senate floor session and rules meeting were scheduled for Wednesday.

A bill creating cannabis tax tiering received supportive testimony and many neutral suggestions from industry representatives welcoming a new conversation on product taxation.

A labor bill was unevenly received, modification of the cannabis excise tax seemed more likely without prohibitionist garnishment, and social equity would be introduced in the House.