After granting themselves additional time before the house of origin policy committee cutoff on Friday, legislators still had lots of work to do - and many cannabis bills would be left behind.
Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.
Monday February 13th
WA House - Session
On Monday at 10:30am PT, the Washington State House of Representatives (WA House) planned to convene in session.
- One cannabis bill was scheduled for introduction in the House on Monday morning:
- HB 1822 - “Concerning complimentary products provided by short-term rental operators to guests.”
- While legislation can be introduced at any time and legislative leadership has many means of advancing bills regardless of the agreed upon cutoff calendar, the introduction of HB 1822 in the final week before the house of origin policy committee cutoff on Friday was also notable as it was the first cannabis bill Representative Melanie Morgan introduced during the 2023 regular session. At publication time, home grow (HB 1614) was the only other cannabis bill Morgan co-sponsored in 2023.
- Following introduction on Monday, HB 1822 was already scheduled for its initial public hearing on Tuesday February 14th in WA House RSG where Morgan is a member.
- HB 1822 - “Concerning complimentary products provided by short-term rental operators to guests.”
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
On Monday at 10:30am PT, the Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Executive Session
- SB 5367 - “Concerning the regulation of products containing THC.”
- The flagship WSLCB request legislation was heard on January 30th. The bill adding restrictions on manufacturing and sales of hemp cannabinoid products was generally well received, but many speakers disagreed with the allowable THC limits.
- SB 5340 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
- The low-dose cannabis beverage bill was also heard on January 30th.
- SB 5363 - “Concerning cannabis retailer advertising.”
- Freshman Senator Drew MacEwen’s only cannabis bill was also heard on January 30th.
- SB 5259 - “Ensuring commerce and workplaces are safe from product theft.”
- The organized retail crime bill containing substantial provisions benefiting cannabis retailers was heard on January 26th.
- SB 5367 - “Concerning the regulation of products containing THC.”
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
On Monday at 1:30pm PT, the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Public Hearing
- HB 1772 - “Prohibiting products that combine alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol.”
WA Senate WM - Committee Meeting
On Monday at 4pm PT, the Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee (WA Senate WM) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Public Hearing
- These would be the first cannabis bills heard by WA Senate WM members ahead of the fiscal committee cutoff next Friday February 24th.
Tuesday February 14th
WSLCB - Board Caucus
On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
On Tuesday at 10:30am PT, the Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Executive Session
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
On Tuesday at 4pm PT, the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Public Hearing
- HB 1822 - “Concerning complimentary products provided by short-term rental operators to guests.”
- Executive Session
- HB 1159 - “Allowing interstate cannabis agreements.”
Wednesday February 15th
WSLCB - Board Meeting
On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.
- [ Event Details ]
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
On Wednesday at 4pm PT, the Washington State House Appropriations Committee (WA House APP) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Public Hearing
- HB 1131 - “Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.”
Thursday February 16th
WA House RSG - Committee Meeting
On Thursday at 8am PT, the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) was scheduled to convene.
- [ Event Details ]
- Public Hearing
- HB 1790 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”
- Introduced late on February 7th, the amended WSLCB social equity request legislation would receive a hearing in the House the day before the house of origin policy committee cutoff. Neither WA House RSG nor WA Senate LC had regularly scheduled meetings on Fridays.
- HB 1790 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”
Friday February 17th
WA Legislature - House of Origin Policy Committee Cutoff
According to the cutoff calendar, Friday February 17th is the “Last day to read in committee reports (pass bills out of committee and read them into the record on the floor) in house of origin, except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.”
WA Pharmacy Commission Legislative Committee - Public Meeting
On Friday at 12pm PT, the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission Legislative Committee (WA Pharmacy Commission Legislative Committee) was scheduled to convene their weekly public meeting.
- [ Event Details ]