Washington State Senate Rules Committee
(WA Senate RULE)

Lawmakers reintroduced 2023 legislation, nudging one cannabis bill forward, and planned to introduce expansive new hemp processor legislation before hearing three cannabis-related bills.

A bill regulating products containing THC was signed, granting new authority and rulemaking mandates for WSLCB - though fewer hemp licensees may be another result of the law.

Starting in 2024, Washington job seekers will no longer be discriminated against due to the presence of non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites during most pre-employment drug testing.

Legislation expanding arrest projections for medical cannabis patients reflected the diligence of an advocate who had been pushing for various reforms on medical policies for several years.

None of four well-positioned cannabis bills were considered on Tuesday and remained in competition for limited opportunities for movement through the last cutoff gateway on Wednesday.

Most active cannabis legislation was through the final cutoff or on its way after four more cannabis bills were pulled out of rules and the social equity bill was passed by the House.

Legislators would traverse the final cutoff gateway on Wednesday before sine die while the WSLCB board had a full week of public meetings to reckon with a controversial agency action.

The youth protective and hemp destructive THC bill was passed twice on Friday, senators confirmed a WSLCB board member, and legislators prepared to work again on Saturday.

Two cannabis bills, one preparing for interstate commerce and another modifying fundamental definitions of cannabis and hemp in Washington state, were advanced in the House.

With few exceptions, the majority of cannabis legislation remained stationed in the House and Senate rules committees as legislators devoted their floor session time to other legislation.