Legislators were making steady progress on 29 active cannabis-related bills, having heard five on Monday with plans to hear two more on Tuesday along with four executive sessions.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Tuesday January 31st, the 23rd day of the 2023 Regular Session.
My top 3 takeaways:
- Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) members hosted public hearings on five cannabis bills on Monday January 30th.
- SB 5367 - “Concerning the regulation of products containing THC.”
- Positions (testifying, not testifying)
- A bill adding restrictions on manufacturing and sales of hemp cannabinoid products was generally well received, but many speakers disagreed with the allowable THC limits (video).
- SB 5405 - “Modifying the liquor and cannabis board's subpoena authority.”
- Positions (testifying, not testifying)
- (video)
- SB 5376 - “Allowing the sale of cannabis waste.”
- Positions (testifying, not testifying)
- (video)
- SB 5363 - “Concerning cannabis retailer advertising.”
- Positions (testifying, not testifying)
- (video)
- SB 5340 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
- Positions (testifying, not testifying)
- (video)
- The initial hearing on the low dose beverage House companion, HB 1249, was hosted on January 16th.
- SB 5367 - “Concerning the regulation of products containing THC.”
- On Tuesday January 31st, WA Senate LC members planned to take up two of the bills heard on Monday in executive session along with two additional bills that had been deferred for weeks.
- SB 5080 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”
- Heard on January 10th and 12th, scheduled executive sessions on the social equity bill had been postponed twice.
- A proposed amendment by Senator Curtis King would provide “that the annual fee waiver for a license issued, reissued, or renewed under the social equity program applies until December 31, 2025, rather than December 31, 2029.”
- SB 5123 - “Concerning the employment of individuals who lawfully consume cannabis.”
- Also heard on January 10th, scheduled executive sessions on the pre-employment cannabis testing bill had been postponed three times.
- On Monday, the Spokesman Review published an article on SB 5123.
- SB 5376 - “Allowing the sale of cannabis waste.”
- A proposed amendment by prime sponsor Senator Derek Stanford would provide ‘that, to be sold, cannabis waste must not be designated as dangerous or hazardous waste under chapter 70A.300 RCW and rules adopted under that chapter and LCB rules (changes an "or" to an "and").’
- SB 5405 - “Modifying the liquor and cannabis board's subpoena authority.”
- Senators planned to address the proposed substitute bill text which was heard in committee.
- SB 5080 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”
- Also on Tuesday, the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) planned to host initial public hearings on two cannabis bills.