The medical cannabis patient excise tax exemption bill made it through the fiscal committee gateway whereas home grow legislation was getting a late start, but was positioned to proceed.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Wednesday February 22nd, the 45th day of the 2023 Regular Session.
My top 2 takeaways:
- On Tuesday February 21st, members of the Washington State House Finance Committee (WA House FIN) hosted an executive session on the patient excise tax exemption bill and unanimously recommended it out of committee.
- Fiscal committee members heard only positive testimony about HB 1453 (“Providing a tax exemption for medical cannabis patients”) on Monday February 20th. Not a single person registered opposition to the legislation.
- On Tuesday, prime sponsor Sharon Wylie moved that the bill be amended to make the tax exemption permanent and not subject to the usual ten-year review. Ranking Member Ed Orcutt endorsed the change and generally registered his strong support for the benefits of medical cannabis in contrast to his more lukewarm tolerance for recreational uses.
- The bill was amended and unanimously recommended out of committee. The legislation would be referred to the Washington State House Rules Committee (WA House RUL) for calendaring.
- That body was scheduled to meet on Wednesday afternoon.
- On Wednesday February 22nd, the Washington State House Appropriations Committee (WA House APP) planned to host a public hearing on the home grow bill.
- HB 1614 (“Concerning the home cultivation of cannabis”) was listed fourth on the committee agenda for the day.
- An executive session on the bill had been scheduled for the committee meeting on Friday February 24th - the same day as the fiscal committee cutoff.