Washington State Senate
(WA Senate)

Commissioners learned about tax exemptions for medical patients and cooperatives, and the potentially dramatic impact of a statutory change redefining eligible cannabis purchases.

In one day and despite a dozen dissenting votes, a House bill to allow imported CBD as a cannabis product additive was passed by the Senate and sent to the governor’s desk.

Amidst long solstice days after a week of high temperatures, important decisions about the future of the Washington state cannabis industry were under way - and more heat was expected.

In concurring with revised legislation to re-enact drug possession offenses while expanding treatment and recovery offerings, lawmakers positioned Washington state to move away from a punitive approach to issues of drug use while further dismantling the so-called war on drugs.

House lawmakers shared personal accounts of how drug use had impacted their lives while deeply amending Senate legislation to re-enact drug possession offenses.

Senators debated a legislative response to the State v. Blake decision and adopted a striking amendment making possession of controlled substances a misdemeanor, creeping further back towards criminalization of public health concerns.

Senators adopted committee language for legislation expanding the scope of the State social equity in cannabis efforts - but many Republican members ultimately opposed passing the bill.

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.

A bill to exempt registered medical cannabis patients from paying the State excise tax on compliant products received a nod from members of both parties before passage.

The Washington State Legislature kicked off its 2021 session where home grow was already scheduled to be heard while the WSLCB and SBOH positioned to advocate for their interests.