Observations

Legislators would traverse the final cutoff gateway on Wednesday before sine die while the WSLCB board had a full week of public meetings to reckon with a controversial agency action.

The full House incorporated changes to THC legislation designed in committee and passed the measure, but only after formally ‘reconsidering’ their vote.

The youth protective and hemp destructive THC bill was passed twice on Friday, senators confirmed a WSLCB board member, and legislators prepared to work again on Saturday.

Two cannabis bills, one preparing for interstate commerce and another modifying fundamental definitions of cannabis and hemp in Washington state, were advanced in the House.

With few exceptions, the majority of cannabis legislation remained stationed in the House and Senate rules committees as legislators devoted their floor session time to other legislation.

The social equity bill made it through the opposite house fiscal committee gateway on Tuesday as legislators prepared for floor sessions and budget fights till sine die.

Representatives moved the WSLCB THC bill on Monday and would consider the social equity bill on Tuesday just ahead of the opposite house fiscal committee cutoff occurring that day.

Without guidance in defining ‘cannabinoid,’ consensus on its meaning or the scope of work for the group proved difficult, but agreement to prioritize regulatory issues emerged.

Regular committee work would draw to a close on Tuesday with the fiscal committee cutoff, and three significant cannabis bills remained at risk including THC and social equity legislation.

Hemp industry members opposed a bill on THC regulation, but an agency representative as well as several cannabis industry, public health, and substance prevention groups backed the move.