The Governor was scheduled to take action on two cannabis bills, including the social equity program expansion, while other bodies convened to consider regular session outcomes.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday May 1st
WA Governor - Bill Action
On Monday at 2:30pm PT, the Washington State Office of the Governor (WA Governor) planned to host a bill signing ceremony.
- [ Event Details ]
- Two cannabis bills were scheduled for signature, veto, or partial veto by the Governor on Monday:
- HB 1772 - "Prohibiting products that combine alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol."
- See the bill text as passed by the legislature and the final bill report for details.
- SB 5080 - "Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program."
- See the bill text as passed by the legislature and the final bill report for details.
- HB 1772 - "Prohibiting products that combine alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol."
- Assuming both bills are signed by the Governor, neither of which has an explicit effective date specified, they become effective 90 days after the adjournment of the Legislature on July 22, 2023. Quite a few additional dates are specified within SB 5080 defining when particular provisions and programs become active.
- Five cannabis-related bills were passed by the Legislature during the 2023 regular session but had not yet been signed, vetoed, or partially vetoed by the Governor:
- HB 1066 - “Making technical corrections and removing obsolete language from the Revised Code of Washington pursuant to RCW 1.08.025.”
- HB 1563 - “Concerning arrest protections for the medical use of cannabis.”
- SB 5069 - “Allowing interstate cannabis agreements.”
- SB 5367 - “Concerning the regulation of products containing THC.”
- SB 5123 - “Concerning the employment of individuals who lawfully consume cannabis.”
Tuesday May 2nd
WSLCB - Board Caucus
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
Wednesday May 3rd
WA Commission for Measurement of Tax Preferences - Public Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the Washington State Citizens Commission for the Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences (WA Commission for Measurement of Tax Preferences) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- While there are no cannabis-specific items on the agenda for the Commission meeting, this will be the first meeting following the regular session of the Legislature where we are likely to hear updates from Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) staff and leadership.
Thursday May 4th
WA Pharmacy Commission - Public Meeting
On Thursday at 9am PT, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) was scheduled to convene for a two-day business meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
Friday May 5th
WA Pharmacy Commission - Public Meeting
On Friday at 9am PT, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) was scheduled to conclude its two-day business meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
- On the second day, commissioners were scheduled to hear an “End of Session Recap” of relevant legislative updates.
- The Commission Legislative Committee aimed to meet weekly throughout the session, but cancelled 10 of 16 planned public meetings while still publishing bill reports compiled by staff.