On Thursday, representatives heard—and questioned—a WSLCB history of the 502 marketplace as senators prepared executive sessions for two cannabis bills the following week.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Friday January 20th, the 12th day of the 2023 Regular Session.
My top 2 takeaways:
- Leadership from the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) provided a far-ranging historical narrative about the 502 marketplace to members of the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG).
- [ Event Details ]
- Director Rick Garza led the presentation (video), titled “Examining the Development of Cannabis Policy and Regulation Since Passage of Initiative 502.” He was accompanied by Chair David Postman in his first testimony before the legislature “after a career of lurking around the halls” (audio - 4m20s, video). Director of Policy and External Affairs Justin Nordhorn spoke to the intentional evolution of the agency enforcement culture (audio - 11m, video) as well as their active request legislation.
- Committee members actively engaged with WSLCB staff, asking over 20 distinct questions during the course of the presentation on subjects ranging from hemp product regulation (audio - 4m, video) to emergency room visits (audio - 2m, video) to license assumptions (audio - 2m, video).
- Also on Thursday, legislative staff announced the Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee (WA Senate LC) planned to host executive sessions on two cannabis bills at their Tuesday January 24th meeting.
- SB 5080 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”
- WSLCB request legislation sponsored by WA Senate LC Vice Chair Rebecca Saldaña, this bill was heard on Tuesday January 10th and Thursday January 12th.
- On January 17th, Saldaña voted “without recommendation” in opposition to moving the interstate commerce bill out of committee to reflect concerns she’d heard that lawmakers needed to address social equity before “we take any action” on other cannabis bills.
- SB 5123 - “Concerning the employment of individuals who lawfully consume cannabis.”
- Heard on January 10th and sponsored by WA Senate LC Chair Karen Keiser along with nine co-sponsors at publication time, this bill was initially scheduled for executive session on Thursday January 19th.
- SB 5080 - “Expanding and improving the social equity in cannabis program.”