Washington State Organized Retail Crime Task Force
(WA ORC Task Force)

In his final bill signing, Governor Jay Inslee offered hope Washington would continue to prosper under a supplemental budget with rates of cannabis spending largely the same as 2023.

11 cannabis-related bills were scheduled for activity the week before the house of origin policy committee cutoff, as regulators closely followed to position and prepare accordingly.

State legislators would be prepared with details on cannabis revenues, appropriations, and retail theft while Ecology staff delayed accreditation rules to see how the session panned out.

Legislators and agency staff were preparing for the shorter 2024 legislative session where organized retail crime and patient concerns would figure amidst cannabis related policymaking.

The operating budget that reached Governor Jay Inslee featured more than a dozen state agencies which received cannabis revenue, or were budgeted for activities related to the plant.

Several cannabis retailers conveyed experiences and policies on reducing robberies, but local officials and others pushed for more organized and proactive enforcement approaches.

14 cannabis-related bills remained active ahead of the opposite house policy committee cutoff on Wednesday including four which had executive sessions rescheduled for amendment work.

Three policy committees heard cannabis related bills, hosted a work session on the 20 year study of I-502, and began confirming gubernatorial appointments of WSLCB board members.

Four cannabis-related bills were advanced during executive session including changes to bills on cannabinoid regulation and retail theft, while bills on infused beverages and advertising were unchanged.

Several cannabis retailers told lawmakers licensed businesses were diverting products to illegal cannabis markets while calling for enforcement, licensing, and reporting changes.