Washington CannaBusiness Association
(WACA)

Supporters welcomed expanded signage allowances and clarifications offered in a cannabis advertising bill, but opponents viewed changes as increasing youth perception of normalization.

Legislation creating social equity buffer zones could be fast tracked and out of state ownership would be heard in the Senate, but many cannabis-related bills remained at risk before the first cutoff on Friday.

The lab certification bill was advanced, new introductions were drying up before the first cutoff, two bills were positioned for execs on Wednesday, and the data dashboard bill could be passed by the House.

Retail advertising concerns drew out public health and prevention representatives, two new bills were staged for introduction, and legislation to clarify authority over testing labs may be moved on Tuesday.

Three cannabis-related bills were scheduled to be heard and four executive sessions were planned for the week which would include cancellations of most regular WSLCB meetings.

Legislators heard testimony on five cannabis-related bills on Tuesday, a variant on the impaired driving bill was readied for introduction, and WSLCB leaders would be called upon to provide “technology updates.”

Five cannabis bills would receive hearings in the fourth week of the 2025 session, while regulators trimmed lab accreditation rules and briefed lawmakers on technology challenges.

A new board member questioned staff recommendations on two alcohol rulemaking petitions before members approved filing proposed product sample rules and heard public remarks.

Four public hearings on Tuesday evidenced the complexity of cannabis policymaking, Republicans were eyeing excise tax revenue, and legislation may be advanced on WSLCB data dashboard development.

Senators heard an hour of largely supportive testimony on producer direct sales on Monday and representatives planned to host public hearings on three cannabis-related bills on Tuesday.