Washington State Legislature
(WA Legislature)

Bills that address budtender penalties, intellectual property, and lab accreditation are still moving in the legislature.

The state’s new hemp program continues to move forward and two medical cannabis bills also received lawmaker attention.

House committees heard testimony on SB 5605 to vacate misdemeanor marijuana convictions and recommended a new version of SB 5318 to reform WSLCB enforcement powers.

The speedier second half of the legislative session began in earnest this week, with public hearings on cannabis intellectual property, labs, WSLCB reform, and labeling.

Only twelve out of fifty cannabis-related bills tracked by Cannabis Observer remain in motion.

Members moved (some) cannabis bills out of committee as the first major session cutoff calendar deadline landed today.

HB 1995 would enable limited vertical integration for smaller scale producers and processors, opening up direct sales and tourism modeled on craft distilleries, breweries, and wineries.

Several cannabis bills found love on Valentine’s Day as committees passed or amended them, while less fortunate legislation received no action.

HB 1945 would enable direct sales by some producers and processors as well as public social use of cannabis.

A new home grow bill is well positioned at the start of the 2019 Washington State legislative session.