Harmony Farms

A public hearing on cannabinoid legislation had a mix of support from public officials and prevention groups, as well as opposition/other remarks from hemp and cannabis interests.

Bills to restrict cannabis concentrates had the support of some health officials and an anti-legalization group, but industry members and a consumer advocate tagged them “prohibition bill[s]."

Unanimously supportive testimony on a bill to remove the cannabis excise tax for medical patients registered with the state called attention to problems around taxing medicine.

Legislation to permit out-of-state ownership and suspend inactive producers received mostly supportive testimony, with opposition centered on equity implications from the change.

After more than three years, rulemaking on pesticide testing still elicited criticism from many producers and processors, though a few stakeholders suggested enacting and moving on.

A hearing on social equity legislation provoked largely favorable testimony, peppered with repeated questions and comments about proposed buffer zones changes for retailers.

Two visions for the future of cannabinoid regulation were presented to senators, with testimony split between a measure developed by WACA members and WSLCB request legislation.

Some licensees, WSLCB staff, and prevention advocates encouraged lawmakers to pass request legislation on cannabinoid regulation, while other licensees preferred a competing bill.

The board heard from concerned cannabis stakeholders about legal, health, and economic risks of failing to enforce a prohibition on the use of synthesized cannabinoids in I-502.

A few attendees offered input on draft changes to the agency criminal background check evaluation process applied during cannabis license applications and renewals.