WA Legislature - Update
(February 8, 2024)

Legislation to allow low THC beverages was passed by the Senate and calendared in the House, schedules for the following week were announced, and two cannabis bills were positioned for floor action.

Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Thursday February 8th, the 32nd day of the 2024 regular session.

My top 4 takeaways:

• On Wednesday, senators passed legislation which would allow low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) beverages to be created and sold in the regulated marketplace.
  • SB 5340 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
    • Prime sponsor Senator Curtis King first offered a technical amendment to revise subsequently changed RCW numbering on the 2023 legislation which was accepted by the body.  He then said the bill would enable retailers to sell new product types with lower THC content by volume in larger package sizes.  President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser seconded his remarks in support of new products and marketing approaches.
    • Senators unanimously supported passage of the legislation with the exception of Republican Senator Mike Padden.
    • The bill would subsequently be introduced in the House and referred to a policy committee.

• During their first formal in-person meeting during the 2024 regular session on Wednesday, Washington State House Rules Committee (WA House RUL) members approved calendaring a package of bills including their version of the low THC beverages legislation.
  • HB 1249 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
    • At the beginning of the meeting, Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon motioned for a package of bills to be advanced.  Members agreed via voice vote and the selected bills were subsequently announced, including HB 1249.
    • The legislation can be brought up for a second and third reading during House floor sessions.

• On Wednesday evening, provisional committee schedules for the following week were announced and two cannabis bills previously passed by the Senate and referred to the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) would be considered.
  • Wednesday February 14th
    • 10:30am: WA House RSG - Committee Meeting [ Event Details ]
      • Public Hearing
        • SB 5376 - “Allowing the sale of cannabis waste.”
          • [ Register Position ]
        • SB 6271 - “Modifying the cannabis excise tax to consider THC concentration.”
          • [ Register Position ]
  • Thursday February 15th
    • 8am: WA House RSG - Committee Meeting [ Event Details ]
      • Executive Session
        • SB 5376 - “Allowing the sale of cannabis waste.”

• On Thursday, legislators would continue their floor sessions ahead of the next cutoff on Tuesday February 13th.
  • The WA House was scheduled to convene at 9am PT and the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 10am PT.  Both bodies would publish orders of consideration throughout the day listing bills planned for floor activity.  At publication time, one cannabis bill was positioned for floor activity in the House and one in the Senate:
    • HB 1249 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
    • SB 5377 - “Concerning cannabis license ownership.”