Five cannabis bills were left standing and well positioned to become law as legislators mustered their final push towards completion of the 68th Washington State Legislature on Thursday.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday March 4th
On Monday, the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 10am PT and the WA House starting at 10:30am PT.
Tuesday March 5th
On Tuesday, the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 10am PT and the WA House starting at 10:30am PT.
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 March 6th
On Wednesday, the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 10am PT and the WA House starting at 10:30am PT.
Thursday March 7th
On Thursday, the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 10am PT and the WA House starting at 10:30am PT.
WA Pharmacy Commission - Public Meeting
On Thursday at 9am PT, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) was scheduled to convene a business meeting.
- [ Event Details ]
- The commissioners’ weekly legislative review would be incorporated into their regular business meeting on Thursday.
WA Legislature - Sine Die
On Thursday, the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) would mark sine die, the end of the 2024 regular session.
- [ Cutoff Calendar ]
- After 60 days of activity, the 2024 regular session of the Washington State Legislature would come to an end on Thursday March 7th, described as the “Last day allowed for regular session under state constitution.”
- At publication time, three cannabis-related bills remained at risk, having not reached concurrence in their house of origin with changes made in the opposite chamber to achieve passage by the legislature:
- Following final passage, legislation must be signed by the leaders of both chambers then delivered to the Washington State Office of the Governor (WA Governor). The Executive exercises a check on the power of the Legislative branch when the Governor signs the bill into law or vetoes all or part of the legislation. If the Governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law without a signature. Bills passed more than five days before adjournment of a session must be acted upon within five days. Bills passed within five days of sine die can be acted upon within 20 days. At publication time, two cannabis bills awaited action by the Governor:
- HB 1249 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
- HB 2151 - “Reassigning the accreditation of private cannabis testing laboratories from the department of ecology to the department of agriculture.”
- See the WA Governor Bill Action screen for notification of bill action ceremonies on the day of the event.
Friday March 8th
WA Pharmacy Commission - Legislative Review
The weekly Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (WA Pharmacy Commission) Legislative Review was cancelled.
- [ Event Details ]