Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA)

Senators heard an hour of largely supportive testimony on producer direct sales on Monday and representatives planned to host public hearings on three cannabis-related bills on Tuesday.

Legislators advanced production unions in the House but deferred a production authority transfer before the schedule for the following week and details on four new cannabis-related bills were published.

After having heard the production authority transfer bill on Friday, legislators planned to work over the holiday on Monday but were not scheduled to consider any cannabis-related legislation.

While taking no position, agency remarks on a bill to move producer/processor regulation to WSDA raised questions of cost and timing, though all but one member of the public testified in favor.

DUI legislation was advanced in the Senate where two organized retail theft bills were staged for introduction, and the House would hear about transferring cannabis production authorities to WSDA.

In addition to the kickoff of the 2025 regular session, WSLCB board members planned to advance rulemaking and organic-equivalent cannabis could get another look at WSDA.

As activity wrapped for the holidays, WSLCB board members planned to complete social equity work but all other rulemaking activity would be trimmed or further delayed into 2025.

Legislators planned to host work sessions in advance of the 2025 session which would occasion the final convening of the House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee.

Two petitions were denied, new delays in rulemaking were announced although language for two projects was forthcoming, and the public both praised and condemned the outgoing chair.

A seemingly straightforward policymaking week was freighted with new urgency following the announcement that WSLCB Board Chair David Postman had been appointed to a new role.