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

After hearing two cannabis bills on Wednesday, lawmakers had increasingly busy calendars on Thursday and through the following mid-week to meet the next policy committee deadline.

Most lawmakers agreed to pass legislation to address risks associated with use of “high THC” products, with some disagreement around how urgent and restrictive solutions should be.

Commodity commission legislation was passed by Senators before the House of Origin Cutoff which left 12 cannabis-related bills active as policy committees reformed for the shorter second half of session.

A bill from 2023 pertaining to uses of cannabis waste without THC was brought to the Senate floor and passed overwhelmingly following brief remarks from the sponsor.

As senators looked at approaches to reduce use of “high THC” cannabis—especially by young adults—they mandated WSLCB data collection and recommendations on THC-based taxation.

Seven cannabis-related bills were at risk ahead of the House of Origin Cutoff on Tuesday after which legislators would return their attention to policy committee hearings and executive sessions.

Over the weekend, legislators advanced the low dose THC legislation and prepared for two days of floor activity during which three cannabis-related bills could potentially be advanced before the next cutoff.

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.

A bill requiring development of training, mandatory signage, and medical interventions related to “high THC” cannabis was considered, and subsequently recommended, by a fiscal committee.

Legislation to allow low THC beverages was passed by the Senate and calendared in the House, schedules for the following week were announced, and two cannabis bills were positioned for floor action.