SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2521

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Labor, February 24, 2016

Title: An act relating to allowing for proper disposal of unsellable marijuana by a licensed marijuana retail outlet.

Brief Description: Allowing for proper disposal of unsellable marijuana by a licensed marijuana retail outlet.

Sponsors: Representatives Wylie and Condotta; by request of Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/17/16, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 2/24/16 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Hasegawa, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Keiser, King and Warnick.

Staff: Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background: Initiative 502 placed restrictions on licensed marijuana retailers from destroying damaged, expired, or otherwise unsellable marijuana. If a product needs to be destroyed, the retailers must return the product to the marijuana processor who sold it. The procedures for destruction of marijuana are specified in the Liquor and Cannabis Board's (LCB) administrative rules.

For a variety of reasons, marijuana retailers have sometimes been unable to return product to the original marijuana processor.

Summary of Bill: The LCB is authorized to develop rules to allow marijuana retailers to properly dispose of marijuana products.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2016.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: No public hearing was held.

Persons Testifying: N/A.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.