USA - Washington

Legislators prepared for a long week of virtual sessions to move bills out of their house of origin while the WSLCB convened the traceability 2.0 work group for the first time since October.

Senators amended legislation exempting registered medical cannabis patients and designated providers from the State excise tax, requiring a sunset date and a review of marketplace effects.

A bill expanding the State’s social equity in cannabis task force and grant program was recommended out of committee after two amendments to limit the legislation were rejected.

The Health Care and Wellness Committee voted to recommend legislation which would extend arrest protections to all medical cannabis patients, not just those registered with the State.

Legislative staff briefed on a bill to modify the cannabis social equity task force which drew a question on the need for an emergency clause, received some sign in support, but broached no public testimony.

A substitute version of a bill expanding and revising the duties and membership of the State’s social equity in cannabis task force was narrowly recommended by its policy committee following a 5-4 party-line vote.

Of 19 cannabis-related bills closely tracked, roughly half were unable or unlikely to continue being moved past fiscal committee cutoff on Monday - where the social equity bill rocked on the cusp.

A rulemaking project on THC vapor products was completed while another on criminal histories was kicked off during Jane Rushford’s final board meeting as chair of the WSLCB.

Legislation representing the first effort in Washington state for broad decriminalization of personal possession of controlled substances including enhanced treatment and recovery services brought out the support of hundreds - and opposition from just ten people.

WSLCB Policy and Rules staff discussed circulating drafts of an agency policy statement on Delta-8-THC and their 2021 policy agenda, plus an imminent rulemaking project to reconsider the applicant criminal history point system.