Observations

A fiscal committee heard cannabis legislation Thursday, but calendars were becoming cramped ahead of the next legislative gateway on Monday - and several cannabis bills may be left out.

The board heard an in-depth update on the social equity program then voted on two petitions, accepting one on heavy metals testing and denying one related to multi-license production facilities.

Legislators would don their quantitative hats through Monday to move legislation through fiscal committees - but only three cannabis-related bills had been scheduled for attention.

Having arrived at the first cutoff deadline of the 2024 regular session, several cannabis-related bills had made it through the gateway - but very few were well positioned for the next.

Committee members moved to approve three cannabis bills for a data dashboard, home growing, and regulation of high THC products.

The winnowing of bills through the first cutoff on Wednesday was underway, and some legislation had been greatly revised to continue forward momentum.

Attention was fixed on the first cutoff of the regular session of the Washington State Legislature as WSLCB board members planned to consider two petitions for rulemaking.

Four cannabis-related bills were up for action Monday ahead of the first policy committee deadline Wednesday as legislators geared up for the sprint to house of origin cutoff.

Testimony on a Senate bill on cannabis concentrates was similar to the House counterpart, but some new points were made after the sponsor raised the specter of Reefer Madness.

Senators moved legislation ahead seeking to study revision of cannabis excise tax policy and signaled interest in recommending their labor and “high THC” bills.