Legislators passed three cannabis bills out of their respective chambers on Tuesday, and two were positioned for potential floor activity in the Senate on Wednesday.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Wednesday February 7th, the 31st day of the 2024 regular session.
My top 3 takeaways:
- After brief debates on Tuesday, senators passed two cannabis bills granting some local control over advertising and increasing sentences for those convicted of particular retail robberies.
- SB 5363 - “Concerning cannabis retailer advertising.”
- Republican Senator Drew MacEwen moved his striking amendment to legislation he introduced in 2023 which had been previously passed but was not advanced to the House floor. He indicated the rework had been at the request of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser seconded passage of the legislation and commended MacEwen for his patient revision and “modernization” of overly prescriptive statute and code.
- The bill was passed 48-1 with the sole dissenting vote cast by democratic Senator Jesse Salomon, the prime sponsor of the abandoned “high THC cannabis products” legislation in the Senate.
- SB 6133 - “Deterring robberies from cannabis retail establishments.”
- Republican Senator Jim McCune framed his bill as an attempt to deter “pot shop” thieves ramming stolen vehicles into buildings seeking traceable cannabis products to resell to acquire cash to pursue other drug addictions. Deputy Majority Leader Manka Dhingra clarified the nature of the sentencing enhancement as comparable to the existing enhancement for robbery of pharmacies. Republican Senator Mike Padden echoed McCune’s framing noting kids were watching TikTok videos to learn how to steal Kia automobiles. Democrat Senator Patty Kuderer encouraged the body to analyze the “root cause” of the issue related to federal restrictions on financial services and emphasized thieves were after cash. McCune added that only poor business people would leave cash on premise after hours or neglect to empty their ATMs, and doubled down on his claim that thieves were drug addicts stealing cannabis products to resell to fund their next fix.
- The body unanimously passed the legislation 49-0.
- Both bills would subsequently be introduced in the House and referred to policy committees for consideration.
- SB 5363 - “Concerning cannabis retailer advertising.”
- Tuesday evening, representatives passed legislation which would obligate the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) to develop and annually publish an extensive data dashboard on the substances and products they regulate.
- HB 2182 - “Creating a data dashboard to track use of regulated substances.”
- Representative Kristine Reeves introduced her legislation as providing a transparent and public-facing way for Washingtonians to ensure officials were using abundant available data to regulate controlled substances in a way that was protective of communities and youth. Minority Caucus Vice Chair Kelly Chambers seconded Reeves remarks and expected to also see “where the money goes and flows.”
- The chamber unanimously passed the legislation 97-0-0-1 with Representative Bruce Chandler excused.
- The bill would subsequently be introduced in the Senate and referred to a policy committee for consideration.
- HB 2182 - “Creating a data dashboard to track use of regulated substances.”
- On Wednesday, legislators would continue their floor sessions ahead of the next cutoff on Tuesday and the Washington State House Rules Committee (WA House RUL) was scheduled to meet for possibly the first time during the regular session.
- The WA House was scheduled to convene at 9am PT and the WA Senate was scheduled to convene at 9am PT. Both bodies would publish orders of consideration throughout the day listing bills planned for floor activity. At publication time, two cannabis bills were positioned for floor activity in the Senate:
- WA House RUL planned to meet on Wednesday at 12pm PT for possibly the first time during the 2024 session, chamber leadership instead deciding which bills to pull via declarative floor actions. At publication time, a TVW livestream for remote viewing of the proceedings had not been reserved and six House bills were awaiting pulls out of the committee:
- HB 1249 - “Regarding limits on the sale and possession of retail cannabis products.”
- HB 1453 - “Providing a tax exemption for medical cannabis patients.”
- HB 1822 - “Concerning complimentary products provided by short-term rental operators to guests.”
- HB 2151 - “Reassigning the accreditation of private cannabis testing laboratories from the department of ecology to the department of agriculture.”
- HB 2255 - “Concerning inversion and diversion of cannabis.”
- HB 2320 - “Concerning high THC cannabis products.”
- Although no announcement had been made at publication time and based on the presence of a reserved TVW livestream, it also appeared that the Washington State Senate Rules Committee (WA Senate RULE) may meet after the conclusion of floor activity on Wednesday (estimated around 6pm). At publication time, four senate bills were awaiting pulls to the chamber floor calendar by members of the committee.
- SB 5405 - “Modifying the liquor and cannabis board's subpoena authority.”
- SB 5546 - “Establishing a Washington state cannabis commission.”
- SB 5662 - “Creating the cannabis employee job retention act.”
- SB 5791 - “Concerning the evaluation of the effectiveness of oral fluid roadside information in the enforcement of driving under the influence laws.”