Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee
(WA House RSG)

A bill creating cannabis tax tiering received supportive testimony and many neutral suggestions from industry representatives welcoming a new conversation on product taxation.

A labor bill was unevenly received, modification of the cannabis excise tax seemed more likely without prohibitionist garnishment, and social equity would be introduced in the House.

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]."

Of 31 active cannabis-related bills, nine were scheduled for activity during the fourth week of the regular session of the Washington State Legislature - two weeks before the first cutoff.

Legislators fielded hearings on “potency” bills and home cultivation before advancing patient legislation while a companion containing provisions affecting cannabis packaging was moved.

Supportive testimony on a bill to legalize home cultivation of cannabis highlighted the restrictions in the bill, though two speakers were opposed on safety and youth access grounds.

Six cannabis bills were up for initial hearings or executive action on Thursday morning and the committee schedule for the following week was published listing activity on eight cannabis bills.

Legislators moved four bills forward and heard two more, cannabis packaging changes may be delegated to WSLCB, and a substantial new labor bill was prepared for introduction.

Legislators were making steady progress on 29 active cannabis-related bills, having heard five on Monday with plans to hear two more on Tuesday along with four executive sessions.

Hearings on WSLCB THC legislation, cannabis waste, advertising, low dose products, patient arrest protections, local override, home grow, and the fate of concentrates were all scheduled.