Washington State Legislature
(WA Legislature)

Five cannabis-related bills and the supplemental operating budget remain active as the Washington State Legislature’s short session draws to a close on Thursday.

Discussion of “problematic” budget provisos and a review of what happened with HB 2870 engaged the Board while concerns about COVID-19 began to spread.

The legislature is getting more creative in its handling of cannabis-related bills and budget provisos as the close of the regular session approaches on March 12th.

7 cannabis-related bills remained in motion as the Washington State House and Senate began considering opposite chamber bills prior to Friday’s policy committee cutoff.

11 cannabis-related bills remain active approaching Wednesday’s house of origin cutoff, and the City of Seattle hosts a forum on “Cannabis Equity in Our Community” on Saturday.

Agency leadership heard a briefing on cannabis-related legislation still active and otherwise, including both agency requests and bills introduced by other stakeholders.

The Board denied three petitions for rulemaking and discussed HB 2870, an agency request bill to create a social equity program which has been substantially modified by legislators.

15 cannabis-related bills may be considered by Washington state legislature fiscal committees through Tuesday, determining which legislation continues forward.

The Legislature planned to convene 8 public hearings and at least 8 executive sessions across 7 committee meetings while the WSLCB prepared to adopt a slate of new emergency rules.

Five cannabis-related bills were scheduled for consideration in four committee meetings and the WSLCB Board will likely receive its first legislative update of the session.