Washington State Department of Agriculture
(WSDA)

Thoughtful public testimony and an amendment tying in ‘hemp’ encouraged senators to take a closer look at a bill to change state law mentions of ‘marijuana’ to ‘cannabis’.

There’s a new Board Chair at WSLCB, policy committee public hearings on 5 bills plus a prevention work session in the Legislature, and a WSDA webinar on the hemp program.

Legislation creating a voluntary hemp processor certification was unanimously passed by the Senate after adopting a striking amendment empowering WSLCB to test hemp found on licensed premises.

Legislative staff briefed on a bill to modify the cannabis social equity task force which drew a question on the need for an emergency clause, received some sign in support, but broached no public testimony.

Legislation which would expand the scope of the state’s cannabis social equity program, assistance grants, and social equity task force received a welcoming policy committee hearing.

A diverse majority publicly testified against legislation to establish a Washington state cannabis commodity commission, although more individuals signed in support.

As the holiday season grew near, cannabis policymaking and legislative planning activity increased - most notably among public health and prevention advocates.

Members voted on two motions, confirmed implementation would be delayed by State budget priorities, and clarified their work extended beyond lab accreditation to include lab standards.

WSDA staff described program operations, announced allowance of “dietary ingredients,” previewed a web portal, and created a new work group to help expand MIE product types.

The first meeting of the Washington State Legislative Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis led a densely packed week of policy activity at WSLCB, WSDA, DOE, and local jurisdictions.