Over the weekend, legislators advanced the low dose THC legislation and prepared for two days of floor activity during which three cannabis-related bills could potentially be advanced before the next cutoff.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Monday February 12th, the 36th day of the 2024 regular session.
My top 3 takeaways:
- On Saturday, representatives passed the House version of the low dose tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) beverages legislation.
- HB 1249 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
- Towards the end of a weekend day spent largely in caucus, Assistant Minority Floor Leader Chris Corry introduced his bill which he characterized as meeting a market demand for more social, less intoxicating beverages in contrast to heightened concerns about high THC products which the legislature had been hearing about as recently as the day prior. Representative Shelley Kloba expressed support for passage of the legislation for the majority party.
- The bill was passed 88-9-0-1 with Representative Bruce Chandler again excused. The following Republicans voted against passage of the legislation:
- Representative Stephanie Barnard
- Representative Leonard Christian
- Representative Tom Dent
- Representative Mary Dye
- Representative Carolyn Eslick
- Representative Gina Mosbrucker
- The following Democrats voted against passage of the legislation:
- Representative Steve Bergquist
- Representative Lauren Davis
- Deputy Majority Whip Mari Leavitt
- HB 1249 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
- On Sunday, legislative staff announced the addition of public hearings on the Senate version of the low dose THC beverages and advertising bills to the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG) committee meeting on Thursday February 15th.
- On Monday, legislators would continue their floor sessions ahead of the next cutoff on Tuesday February 13th.
- The WA House was scheduled to convene at 9am PT and the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 10am PT. Both chambers would announce and publish orders of consideration throughout the day listing bills planned for floor activity.
- At publication time, one cannabis bill was positioned for floor activity in the House and two in the Senate:
- HB 2151 - "Reassigning the accreditation of private cannabis testing laboratories from the department of ecology to the department of agriculture."
- SB 5377 - “Concerning cannabis license ownership.”
- SB 5791 - “Concerning the evaluation of the effectiveness of oral fluid roadside information in the enforcement of driving under the influence laws.”
- The House of Origin Cutoff would occur on Tuesday February 13th at 5pm PT.