Observations

The Board’s concerns about the agency’s legislative program were heard + contentious enforcement and compliance reform bills SHB 1237 and SSB 5318 are moving.

The agency has a new Deputy Director and quite a few bills on their plate.

Observations on the evolution of a bill which would enable Washington farmers to participate in the federal hemp program authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill.

On Thursday, the Washington State House Commerce and Gaming Committee (WA House COG) amended and moved HB 1237, HB 1466, and HB 1974 out of committee with “do pass” recommendations.

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).