Only twelve out of fifty cannabis-related bills tracked by Cannabis Observer remain in motion.
A critical deadline was passed on Wednesday March 13th: bills not passed by the chamber in which they were introduced cannot move further this year in their original form. Legislation which has made it past the cutoff will be considered in the other chamber. Only twelve out of fifty cannabis-related bills tracked by Cannabis Observer this session remain in motion.
- Vacating Misdemeanor Possession Convictions (SB 5605). SB 5605 was passed by the full Senate on March 11th without amendments and was assigned to the House Public Safety Committee.
- Details on the Senate policy committee public hearing and executive session, and the Senate fiscal committee public hearing and executive session.
- The bill’s companion in the House, HB 1500, was not moved after passage by its policy committee.
- On January 4th at the Washington State Cannabis Summit, Governor Jay Inslee announced the Marijuana Justice Initiative, a special pardon program for state misdemeanor cannabis convictions.
- Testing Lab Accreditation (HB 2052). Passed by the full House on March 6th without amendments, HB 2052 was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee where it was scheduled for a public hearing on March 19th.
- Details on the House policy committee public hearing and executive session, and the House fiscal committee public hearing and executive session.
- In early February, WSLCB Director of Legislative Relations Chris Thompson disclosed why the agency withdrew their request for this legislation.
- WSLCB Enforcement Restructuring (SB 5318). Engrossed Substitute SB 5318 was passed by the full Senate on March 11th with one striker amendment, and was assigned to House Commerce and Gaming Committee where it was scheduled for a public hearing on March 19th.
- Details on the Senate policy committee public hearing and executive session, and the Senate fiscal committee public hearing and executive session.
- The bill’s companion in the House, HB 1237, made consistent progress but did not receive a floor vote.
- SB 5318 has been a steady focus of attention at WSLCB since the arrival of a letter from the bill sponsors in early January. By late February, the agency was concerned about the House companion and experiencing unusual external pressures. By early March, the agency was in closed door negotiations seeking compromises with particular industry representatives and legislators.
- Labeling (SB 5298). Engrossed Substitute SB 5298 was passed by the full Senate on March 11th with two amendments and was assigned to the House Commerce and Gaming Committee where it was scheduled for a public hearing on March 19th.
- Details on the Senate policy committee public hearing and executive session, and a Senate floor activity and amendment update.
- In late February, WSLCB’s Thompson favorably reported the addition to the bill of a “liability shield” for the agency.
- Hemp (HB 1401). Engrossed Second Substitute HB 1401 was passed by the full House on March 8th with one amendment and was referred to the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources, and Parks Committee.
- Details on the House policy committee public hearing and executive session, and the fiscal committee public hearing; and the House fiscal committee executive session.
- The bill’s companion in the Senate, SB 5719, was introduced after SB 5276 was moving and was not heard by its policy committee.
- Hemp (SB 5276). Substitute SB 5276 was passed by the full Senate on March 12th with one amendment.
- Details on SB 5276’s fiscal committee executive session.
- Licensing Agreements (HB 1794). Passed by the full House on March 7th with one amendment, Engrossed Substitute HB 1794 was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee where it was scheduled for a public hearing on March 19th.
- Details on the House policy committee public hearing and executive session.
- In late February, the WSLCB’s Thompson spoke favorably of the legislation.
- Budtender Penalties (HB 1792). Passed by the full House on March 7th without amendments, HB 1792 was referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
- Details on the House policy committee executive session.
- WSLCB testified in support of the legislation.
- Compassionate Renewals for Patients (HB 1094). Engrossed Substitute HB 1094 was passed by the full House on March 12th with one amendment.
- The bill’s companion in the Senate, SB 5498, was referred out of its policy committee but not heard by its fiscal committee.
- Administering Cannabis to Student-Patients (HB 1095). Substitute HB 1095 was passed by the full House on March 12th without amendments.
- The bill’s companion in the Senate, SB 5442, was not heard by its policy committee.
- Patient Database Funding (HB 1415). Passed by the full House on March 8th without amendments, Substitute HB 1415 was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
- This legislation was filed at the request of the Department of Health (DOH).
- The bill’s companion in the Senate, SB 5482, was heard but not moved by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
- System Modernization Project (SMP) Account (HB 1430). Passed by the full House on March 7th without amendments, Substitute HB 1430 was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it was scheduled for a public hearing on March 19th.
- This legislation was filed at the request of the WSLCB.