Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee
(WA Senate LBRC)

The technological leap into remote meetings required by the State’s response to the pandemic continued to challenge the WSLCB’s commitment to transparency.

Senators heard and moved both WSLCB agency request bills, HB 2826 on marijuana vapor products and HB 2870 on social equity in the cannabis industry.

LBRC hosted a second committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon during which members considered amendments to, and passage of, HB 2870.

7 cannabis-related bills remained in motion as the Washington State House and Senate began considering opposite chamber bills prior to Friday’s policy committee cutoff.

Agency leadership heard a briefing on cannabis-related legislation still active and otherwise, including both agency requests and bills introduced by other stakeholders.

The Legislature planned to convene 8 public hearings and at least 8 executive sessions across 7 committee meetings while the WSLCB prepared to adopt a slate of new emergency rules.

WSLCB leadership was briefed on and discussed cannabis-related legislation active at the legislature, including the agency’s three recently introduced request bills.

Four new cannabis-related bills were heard in the Senate on wholesale discounts, retail robberies, retail sales of CBD products, and industry labor standards.

11 cannabis-related bills were scheduled for consideration in 5 committee meetings while the WSLCB planned action on Cannabis Penalties and Quality Control Testing rules.

The legislature asked the agency to explore “varying the marijuana excise tax rate based on product potency” and will be assisted by a broad spectrum of voices and BOTEC Analysis.