Legislators learned about low-THC beverages, would hear potentially significant cannabis packaging bills, and prepared to host executive sessions on interstate commerce legislation.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Tuesday January 17th, the 9th day of the 2023 Regular Session.
My top 3 takeaways:
- On Monday January 16th, members of the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) heard public testimony on HB 1249, a bill to expand sales and possession limits for low-THC beverages.
- Testimony at the WA House RSG hearing brought a pair of companion bills aimed at "Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes” to Cannabis Observer’s attention which could presage significant changes to cannabis packaging requirements by 2025.
- HB 1131 and SB 5154 were both prefiled and introduced on the first day of the regular session. Section 209, starting on page 65 of the lengthy original bill text, would define new requirements for cannabis processors utilizing plastic packaging who “must meet the following annual minimum postconsumer recycled content [PCRC] percentage on average for the total quantity of covered products, by weight”:
- “(a) January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2030: No less than 25 percent postconsumer recycled content plastic by weight
- (b) Beginning January 1, 2031: No less than 50 percent postconsumer recycled content plastic by weight.”
- SB 5154 would be heard by the Washington State Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee (WA Senate ENET) on Tuesday January 17th at 1:30pm PT.
- HB 1131 was scheduled for its initial public hearing in the Washington State House Environment and Energy Committee (WA House ENVI) on Tuesday January 17th at 4pm PT.
- HB 1131 and SB 5154 were both prefiled and introduced on the first day of the regular session. Section 209, starting on page 65 of the lengthy original bill text, would define new requirements for cannabis processors utilizing plastic packaging who “must meet the following annual minimum postconsumer recycled content [PCRC] percentage on average for the total quantity of covered products, by weight”:
- Two largely identical interstate commerce bills were positioned for executive session on Tuesday January 17th, the first cannabis bills to be considered for recommendation out of their policy committees during the 2023 session.
- SB 5069, "Allowing interstate cannabis agreements," was scheduled for executive session in the Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) at 10:30am PT.
- HB 1159 was scheduled for executive session in WA House RSG at 4pm PT.
- At publication time, no amendments had been published for either bill.