Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
(WSLCB)

Interstate commerce was moved to the Senate floor, the policy committee in the senate planned to take action, two bills were set for introduction, and next week’s schedule was announced.

Unanimously supportive testimony on a bill to remove the cannabis excise tax for medical patients registered with the state called attention to problems around taxing medicine.

Board members expressed their willingness to support multiple bills for medical cannabis patients and spoke at length about their approach to interacting with the state legislature.

The out-of-state ownership bill was heard, two seasoned bills were set for introduction, and medical cannabis patients would make their case for excise tax exemption in 2023.

Legislation to permit out-of-state ownership and suspend inactive producers received mostly supportive testimony, with opposition centered on equity implications from the change.

Legislators continued to undertake cannabis bills slowly, especially in the senate, but perennial subjects like out-of-state ownership had been positioned for consideration.

CANNRA conference participants shared feedback from panels on markets, legal issues, inspections, and social consumption before discussing leadership opportunities in the group.

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.

Patients would get another chance at excise tax exemption, WSLCB leadership prepared to tell their 502 story, and only two cannabis bills were scheduled for action the following week.

With a review of scientific literature contracted, task force members detailed remaining concerns and discussed approaches to lobbying for draft legislation on hemp cannabinoids in food.