University of Washington Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute
(UW ADAI)

Interest in advancing inactive legislation via budget proviso had been activated, the “high THC” bill was positioned for floor activity in the Senate, and floor sessions would continue in the push to sine die.

Senators decided the “high THC” bill was similar enough to a companion to skip a public hearing; all testimony on the bill to exempt patients from cannabis excise taxes was supportive.

The first cannabis legislation of the session was passed; two bills in fiscal committees were heard and one was advanced regardless of not being heard; and the “potency tax” study was up for a financial review.

Lawmakers heard bills on a tax exemption for registered medical patients and transferring lab accreditation, passing the former, then amended and recommended a THC bill without a public hearing.

Operating budget proposals began to take shape as policy committees considered legislation ahead of the Opposite House Policy Committee Cutoff on Wednesday February 21st.

At the close of a quiet day for cannabis-related legislation on Thursday, House leadership pulled three bills out of their rules committee onto the floor calendar for potential action on Friday.

Lawmakers heard similar testimony during the fiscal considerations of a high THC regulation bill as was given in the policy hearing and later decided not to move the measure.

Committee members moved to approve three cannabis bills for a data dashboard, home growing, and regulation of high THC products.

The winnowing of bills through the first cutoff on Wednesday was underway, and some legislation had been greatly revised to continue forward momentum.

Testimony on a Senate bill on cannabis concentrates was similar to the House counterpart, but some new points were made after the sponsor raised the specter of Reefer Madness.