Washington State House of Representatives
(WA House)

The published calendar for the first week of the 2024 regular session appeared relatively light on cannabis-related activity, but schedules can change quickly and regulatory activity continued.

Two new cannabis bills were pre-filed Friday, two existing bills were pushed back in the process, and the draft cutoff calendar was published ahead of the start of the regular session on Monday.

As legislators made final preparations for the 2024 session starting on Monday, policy and budget bills had been pre-filed and committee schedules were being shaped.

Topics related to social equity applicants, research projects, and the approaching legislative session were brought up by agency leadership.

Following a march in Seattle, a legislative leader on cannabis shared how she became interested in sponsoring adult home growing legislation in Washington.

WSLCB staff planned to accept comments on potential agency request legislation through the week which would end with a March for Homegrow in downtown Seattle.

Legislators struck and passed pre-negotiated legislation reframing the relation of the criminal justice and behavioral health systems to substance use issues which the Governor signed the same day.

The Governor provided insights about the revised “Blake fix” ahead of its release on Monday afternoon, prior to the convening of the first special session of the 68th Legislature.

As finishing touches were made to wrap up 2023 regular session legislation, lawmakers would reconvene in special session to redress the State v. Blake decision and consequences.

With broad effects on definitions, timelines, portability, and the number of cannabis licenses in the social equity program, the Governor called passage of SB 5080 “a really important deal.”