The Washington State Health Care Authority (WA HCA) purchases health care for Medicaid eligible Washington residents and public employees. The agency also procures funding for the development and implementation of substance use treatment and prevention programs with the intention of "integrating physical health and behavioral health services for better results and healthier residents."
Washington State Health Care Authority
(WA HCA)
Public
Observations
WA House - Session - Afternoon
(April 24, 2021) - SB 5476 - Second and Third Reading
House lawmakers shared personal accounts of how drug use had impacted their lives while deeply amending Senate legislation to re-enact drug possession offenses.
The Week Ahead
(April 26, 2021)
Only two cannabis-specific bills were passed before the end of the 2021 Washington state legislative session; we speculate about factors in play during a complex and busy interim.
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(April 21, 2021) - SB 5476 - Executive Session
Over Republican opposition, the committee approved a striking amendment on legislation to re-criminalize drug possession with reduced penalties while expanding prevention and treatment offerings.
WA House APP - Committee Meeting
(April 19, 2021) - SB 5476 - Public Hearing
No one spoke in favor of a bill re-criminalizing drug possession and expanding treatment diversion programs; critics said it reinstituted prohibition while government advocates stressed the costs of implementation.
WA Senate - Session - Afternoon
(April 15, 2021) - SB 5476 - Second and Third Reading
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.
WA House FIN - Committee Meeting
(March 25, 2021) - SB 5004 - Executive Session
Legislation to exempt registered medical cannabis patients from the State excise tax on compliant products received a near unanimous policy committee recommendation, but was not taken up by its fiscal committee.
WA House PS - Committee Meeting
(February 12, 2021) - HB 1499 - Public Hearing
Legislation representing the first effort in Washington state for broad decriminalization of personal possession of controlled substances including enhanced treatment and recovery services brought out the support of hundreds - and opposition from just ten people.
WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(February 12, 2021) - HB 1463 - Public Hearing
Sharply divided testimony and at times emotional appeals were presented during a public hearing on legislation to dilute cannabis concentrates and raise the legal purchase age to 25.
The Week Ahead
(February 8, 2021)
Of 19 bills closely tracked, five were out of committee and seven were scheduled for action this week - including new bills to limit cannabis concentrates and a drug decriminalization bill.
WSLCB - Cannabis Advisory Council
(January 6, 2021) - Public Health and Prevention
The influence of prevention organizations on WSLCB policy was the focus of a presentation from the agency’s public health liaison and remarks from Cannabis Advisory Council members.