Washington State Senate
(WA Senate)

With 22 of 34 cannabis-related bills through the initial house of origin policy committee gateway, the fiscal committees took over - and four bills appeared to have uncertain futures.

Leaders touched on several bills concerning cannabinoid regulation and “inactive” producer licenses in addition to a favorable court ruling and social equity program updates.

Three cannabis bills were advanced through the house of origin policy committee gateway before it closed on Friday as fiscal committee members prepared for a dense week of activity.

The WRAP Act was further unwrapped, fiscal committee schedules for the following week were announced, and the House cannabis policy committee had a full agenda ahead of the Friday cutoff.

Four more bills made it through the house of origin policy committee gateway while fiscal committees ramped up activity in the sprint before the first cutoff deadline on Friday.

Four cannabis-related bills were advanced during executive session including changes to bills on cannabinoid regulation and retail theft, while bills on infused beverages and advertising were unchanged.

In the final week before the first policy committee cutoff, quite a few cannabis bills were positioned for late hearings and last minute executive sessions before Friday.

The sponsor made reasoned arguments for producer-led cannabis research, but industry members were divided over whether the time was right for a cannabis commodity commission.

Feedback on a bill to legalize out-of-state cannabis license ownership was divided: some companies anticipated benefits while others viewed the move as only helping larger entities.

After granting themselves additional time before the house of origin policy committee cutoff on Friday, legislators still had lots of work to do - and many cannabis bills would be left behind.