Observations

On Thursday, the Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee (WA Senate LAW) recommended confirmation of the 2016 gubernatorial appointment of Russ Hauge as Chair of the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

On Wednesday, the Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LBRC) moved substitute bills for SB 5318, SB 5298, and SB 5296.

Members moved (some) cannabis bills out of committee as the first major session cutoff calendar deadline landed today.

A new board interim policy was adopted and lots of news on testing labs - plus a public records bonus!

The committee heard advocates for a Washington Cannabis Commission and passed bills to establish a hemp program, create new compensation structures, and shift lab accreditation to Ecology.

The committee hosted two cannabis bill public hearings (HB 1963 and HB 2052) and passed two cannabis bills out of committee with “Do Pass” recommendations (HB 1236 and HB 1792).

HB 1995 would enable limited vertical integration for smaller scale producers and processors, opening up direct sales and tourism modeled on craft distilleries, breweries, and wineries.

The Washington State House Commerce and Gaming Committee (WA House COG) moved Substitute House Bill 1794 out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation, but did not take action on HB 1236 or HB 1466.

Several cannabis bills found love on Valentine’s Day as committees passed or amended them, while less fortunate legislation received no action.

The Washington State Senate Law and Justice Committee (WA Senate LAW) rejected an effort to amend SB 5605 before passing it to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.