Legislators heard their first cannabis-related legislation on Tuesday and planned to consider a bill on Wednesday which would empower employee collective bargaining at cannabis producers.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Wednesday January 15th, the 3rd day of the 2025 regular session.
My top 3 takeaways:
- On Tuesday January 14th, Washington State House Consumer Protection and Business Committee (WA House CPB) members hosted a work session with Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) staff and heard public testimony on the first cannabis related bill to require the agency to publish certain data dashboards.
- WSLCB leaders offered a presentation on “Alcohol Regulation and Current Issues.”
- Director of Policy and External Affairs Justin Nordhorn talked about the history of the agency’s formation following the end of alcohol prohibition and the unusual three-member board structure.
- Later on Tuesday during the board caucus, it was revealed that Pete Holmes had been appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to occupy the board member position vacated by Chair Jim Vollendroff.
- After being elected as Seattle City Attorney in 2008, Holmes was one of the earliest elected officials to back Initiative 502 in 2012, having established a policy in the city not to pursue cannabis possession arrests in 2009. Holmes had served on the board of directors for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and publicly backed a bill to legalize cannabis homegrows in 2024. He had been reported to be on a shortlist for the board chair position following the retirement of former chair Jane Rushford in 2022.
- At publication time, the circumstances around Holmes’ appointment during the gubernatorial transition remained unclear as the WSLCB profile on the website of the Office of the Governor indicated Holmes had been appointed on Monday January 13th but his term would expire on Wednesday the 15th. At the end of the caucus, Holmes indicated he would not participate in the WSLCB Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, but it seemed reappointment by Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson had already been authorized.
- WA House CPB members also hosted their first public hearing on a cannabis-related bill, HB 1066 (“Creating a data dashboard to track use of regulated substances”).
- Prime sponsor and WA House CPB member Kristine Reeves introduced her legislation by noting it was identical to HB 2182, legislation which she mistakenly claimed was advanced to the Senate floor in 2024 as the bill was not taken up in the opposite house.
- Only two individuals signed up to testify, representing public health and prevention interests in support of more proactive transparency from the WSLCB.
- Ten others signed up not wishing to testify representing public health and cannabis sector interests unified in their support for the legislation; only one “Concerned Citizen” registered opposition.
- WSLCB leaders offered a presentation on “Alcohol Regulation and Current Issues.”
- Introductions of new legislation went as planned on Tuesday, and two new bills were staged for introduction on Wednesday including a House companion for the DUI bill and legislation incentivizing justice-involved individuals to seek designation and treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs).
- HB 1276 - “Concerning organized retail theft.”
- Retail Theft Sentencing Enhancement
- The bill was introduced on Tuesday morning and referred to the Washington State House Community Safety Committee (WA House CS) as expected.
- By the end of the day, a bipartisan coalition of six additional co-sponsors had signed up: Marshall, Couture, Bronoske, Nance, Caldier, Timmons, Pollet.
- HB 1315 - “Concerning impaired driving.”
- Alcohol BAC Limit and DUI
- Representative Brandy Donaghy planned to introduce a House companion to SB 5067, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) request legislation to lower the BAC limit.
- At publication time, the legislation was not marked as agency request legislation like its companion, and offered the original bill text rather than the slightly altered proposed substitute senators considered on Tuesday.
- On Tuesday morning, WSLCB Research Program staff published a research brief on "Impacts of Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Driving Limits."
- According to the draft introduction report, the bill was scheduled for referral to WA House CS on Wednesday during a pro forma floor session scheduled for 11:15am
- SB 5290 - “Allowing persons who complete substance abuse programs to seek dismissal of certain controlled substance related charges.”
- Pre-Hearing SUD Treatment
- Senators Manka Dhingra and Jesse Salomon planned to introduce legislation which would incentivize individuals to pursue dismissal of certain drug possession charges should they undergo SUD assessment and treatment prior to their readiness hearing.
- According to the draft introduction report, the bill was scheduled for referral to the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee (WA Senate LAW) on Wednesday during a pro forma floor session scheduled for 11:15am.
- HB 1276 - “Concerning organized retail theft.”
- On Wednesday, representatives planned to hear testimony on legislation requiring the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (WA PERC) to adjudicate disputes between cannabis production employees and managers.
- 8am: WA House LAWS - Committee Meeting [ Event Details ]
- Public Hearing
- HB 1141 - Cannabis Production Unions
- It was unusual for cannabis bills to garner a mention in House or Senate Democratic Caucus communications, but HB 1141 was included in the "House Hot Sheet" on the first day of the regular session. By the end of the day, 24 co-sponsors had signed in support of the bill.
- The bill analysis of HB 1141 was published on Tuesday morning and provided some helpful context. It confirmed that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) “excludes certain groups of workers in the private sector from its coverage, including agricultural workers.” Yet cannabis production is explicitly not regarded as “agriculture” for tax purposes in Washington state statute.
- The analysis also noted a relevant precedent: “The only private sector workers that the PERC's jurisdiction extends to are symphony musicians employed by symphony orchestras with gross revenue of more than $300,000, who are not otherwise covered by the NLRA.”
- HB 1141 - Cannabis Production Unions
- Public Hearing
- 11:30am: WA Legislature - Joint Session [ TVW ]
- Inaugural Address of Governor-Elect Bob Ferguson
- 8am: WA House LAWS - Committee Meeting [ Event Details ]