The Week Ahead
(January 30, 2023)

Hearings on WSLCB THC legislation, cannabis waste, advertising, low dose products, patient arrest protections, local override, home grow, and the fate of concentrates were all scheduled.

Here’s a look at cannabis-related policymaking events on the calendar in the week ahead.

Monday January 30th

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 ]
• Public Hearing
  • SB 5367 - “Concerning the regulation of products containing THC.”
    • The week begins with the first hearing in 2023 on Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) request legislation to modify the definition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and implement limits on cannabis products allowed outside of the 502 system.
  • SB 5405 - “Modifying the liquor and cannabis board's subpoena authority.”
    • Also WSLCB request legislation, the hearing would be on the proposed substitute bill text.
  • SB 5376 - “Allowing the sale of cannabis waste.”
  • SB 5363 - “Concerning cannabis retailer advertising.”
  • SB 5340 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
    • The initial hearing on the low dose beverage House companion, HB 1249, was hosted on January 16th.

Tuesday January 31st

WSLCB - Board Caucus

On Tuesday at 10am PT, the weekly WSLCB Board Caucus was scheduled to recur.

• [ Event Details ]
• On January 4th after board members expressed an interest in publicly discussing progress on the Canopy Rulemaking Project, Policy and Rules Manager Kathy Hoffman indicated that conversation would likely take place during the January 31st board caucus (audio < 1m, video - WSLCB, video - TVW).

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
  • SB 5080 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”
    • Heard on January 10th and 12th, scheduled executive sessions on the social equity bill had been postponed twice.
  • SB 5123 - “Concerning the employment of individuals who lawfully consume cannabis.”
    • Also heard on January 10th, scheduled executive sessions on the pre-employment cannabis testing bill had been postponed three times.
  • SB 5376 - “Allowing the sale of cannabis waste.”
  • SB 5405 - “Modifying the liquor and cannabis board's subpoena authority.”

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 1563 - “Concerning arrest protections for the medical use of cannabis.”
    • Introduced on Tuesday January 24th, the legislation intends to extend the same protections from arrest granted to registered patients to qualified patients.
    • A senate companion bill, SB 5608, was introduced on Friday January 27th.
  • HB 1650 - "Requiring voter approval for local government prohibitions on cannabis businesses."

Wednesday February 1st

WSLCB - Board Meeting

On Wednesday at 10am PT, the bi-weekly WSLCB Board Meeting was scheduled to recur.

• [ Event Details ]

WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabinoid Science - Public Meeting

On Tuesday at 1pm PT, the WSLCB Cannabinoid Science Work Group (WSLCB - Work Group - Cannabinoid Science) was scheduled to convene their bi-monthly public meeting.

• [ Event Details ]
• During the work group’s first meeting on December 1st, work group members introduced themselves, shared their research interests, and developed some structure for the group.

Thursday February 2nd

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 ]
• Executive Session
  • HB 1453 - “Providing a tax exemption for medical cannabis patients.”
  • HB 1563 - "Concerning arrest protections for the medical use of cannabis.”
• Public Hearing
  • HB 1614 - “Concerning the home cultivation of cannabis."
    • Introduced on Thursday January 26th, the home grow bill would receive its first public hearing of the 2023 regular session on Thursday.
  • HB 1641 - "Addressing public health challenges of high-potency cannabis products."
    • Introduced on Friday January 27th, this legislation implements the recommendations of the Washington State Health Care Authority (WA HCA) and the University of Washington Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute (UW ADAI) as documented in their “High THC policy | Final report” published on January 23rd.
  • HB 1642 - “Regulating the sale of cannabis concentrates.”
    • Also introduced on January 27th, this legislation would prohibit the sale of cannabis products with a THC concentration greater than 35% to anyone except registered patients and their designated providers.

WA House ENVI - Committee Meeting

On Thursday at 8am PT, the Washington State House Environment and Energy Committee (WA House ENVI) was scheduled to convene.

• [ Event Details ]
• Executive Session
  • HB 1131 - “Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.”
    • Heard on January 17th, a provision of this bill would require cannabis processors to begin utilizing post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) in packaging.

Friday February 3rd

WA Senate ENET - Committee Meeting

On Friday at 8am PT, the Washington State Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee (WA Senate ENET) was scheduled to convene.

• [ Event Details ]
• Executive Session
  • SB 5154 - “Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.”
    • This companion legislation to HB 1131 was heard on January 17th and 18th.

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 monthly public meeting.

• [ Event Details ]