Washington State Hemp in Food Task Force
(WA Hemp in Food Task Force)

Following the house of origin cutoff, 15 cannabis-related bills remained clearly active - but attention would be absorbed by uncertain ambitions around the WSLCB THC bill.

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.

A bill adding restrictions on manufacturing and sales of hemp cannabinoid products was generally well received, but many speakers disagreed with the allowable THC limits.

CANNRA conference participants shared feedback from panels on markets, legal issues, inspections, and social consumption before discussing leadership opportunities in the group.

With a review of scientific literature contracted, task force members detailed remaining concerns and discussed approaches to lobbying for draft legislation on hemp cannabinoids in food.

Several task force members helped develop the scope of a third-party contract to review scientific literature and contemplated a legislative strategy for pursuit in 2023.

Although only five cannabis-specific bills were pre-filed, the convening of the Washington State Legislature portended significant changes to the policy landscape and operating environment.

The WSDA Legislative Liaison reviewed department work impacting hemp and cannabis rules before taking questions about staffing and issues expected in the 2023 legislative session.

Cannabinoid regulation in the legislative session, the social equity program, CANNRA, and the traceability system were top-of-mind issues during the last agency public meeting of the year.

After failing to reach consensus on hemp product THC limits in their final report, it became clear that input from WSDA wouldn’t address the issue for subsequent industry-led legislation either.